After securing three crucial points with a narrow 1-0 win over Leicesterford City in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at Thohoyandou Stadium last Sunday, Black Leopards face another challenge when they visit Highbury FC at Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha on Friday afternoon.
A look at Highbury’s recent form suggests Lidoda Duvha will be lucky to return to Thohoyandou with a point. The home side is buoyed by a strong performance last Friday, when they beat Cape Town City 3-1 at the same venue.
Although Highbury sit ninth on the log, they still have an outside chance of qualifying for the promotional playoffs at the end of the season. For the Thohoyandou side, the match is a must-win as they remain anchored at the bottom of the table.
A victory on Friday could see Black Leopards climb a place, provided other relegation candidates, Baroka FC, drop points against Milford FC. Baroka currently have 18 points, two ahead of Black Leopards.
Co-coach Sundra Govinder expressed optimism about his team’s prospects.
“Our players are ready, and we believe we can get the result on Friday,” Govinder said.
Highbury co-coach Kabelo Sibiya said last Friday’s win over Cape Town City had boosted his players’ morale. The Leopards’ defence, marshalled by Amukelani Chauke, Zukile Mkhize and Sydney Fakude, will face a tough task to keep the home side’s attack at bay throughout the match.