Black Leopards must forget about last weekend's 1-2 defeat at the hands of Highlands Park and focus on the crucial National First Division League match against Jomo Cosmos that will be staged at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.
While Cosmos have only pride at stake in the match, the situation is totally different for Black Leopards. Lidoda duvha need at least a draw in the match to secure a place in the promotional playoffs. Cosmos, on the other hand, booked their place in the promotional playoffs by beating Super Eagles 3-2 last weekend. Should the other two promotional playoffs contenders, Real Kings and Witbank Spurs, drop points in their matches, Black Leopards will qualify even if they lose against Jomo Cosmos.
Cosmos's fast forwards, Carlton Mashumba and Lifa Hlongwane, will have it tough against Leopards' goal poachers in Mwape Musonda, Ivan Mahangwahaya and Karabo Tshepe. Leopards' playmaker, Phathutshedzo Nange, is a doubtful starter after sustaining an injury to the knee in the game against Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium last Sunday.
Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM) will fly to Cape Town, where they will battle it out against Ubuntu Cape at the Athlone Stadium. Royal Eagles will entertain Witbank Spurs at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg. Stellenbosch FC will play host to Highlands Park at the Parow Park Stadium in Cape Town.
The match between Mbombela United and Richards Bay FC will be staged at the Kabokweni Stadium in Nelspruit. Real Kings will host Cape Town All Stars at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. Pretoria University will be the visitors to Uthongathi FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban. Uthongathi must win the match to escape the relegation axe. Super Eagles and Mthatha Bucks will lock horns at the Goble Park Stadium in Bethlehem.