The much-anticipated Motsepe Foundation Championship match between Venda Football Club (VFC) and Black Leopards will be played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Friday afternoon.
The game is expected to keep spectators on the edge of their seats from the first minute to the final whistle, for several reasons. Black Leopards need a win to move out of the danger zone on the log.
The newly appointed head coach of Black Leopards, Mabhuti Khanyeza, also has a point to prove. The 43-year-old mentor took over from Joel Masutha, whose relationship with Lidoda Duvha ended abruptly last Monday. It will be Khanyeza's debut league game with the Thohoyandou side.
A win against Leopards on Friday could take VFC into sixth position on the log. Leopards lost 1-0 to Cape Town City at the Thohoyandou Stadium in their last match two weeks ago. They are currently third from the bottom with nine points.
Whether Leopards' defenders Sidney Fakude, Thendo Mukumela and Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali will have the strength to stop VFC's strikers remains to be seen.
Baroka FC will travel to Johannesburg to face Leicesterford City at the Orlando Stadium. Kruger United will host Casric Stars at Kanyamazane Stadium outside Nelspruit. Cape Town City and Upington City will battle for points at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. Hungry Lions and Gomora United will meet at the Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington.
The other fixtures are Lerumo Lions vs Midlands Wanderers, Highbury vs Milford FC and University of Pretoria vs The Bees.