The Thohoyandou Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity when Black Leopards host Milford FC in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match on Saturday afternoon. With both Lidoda Duvha and Milford closely contesting the league title, local football fans can anticipate an electrifying encounter.
Milford currently sit at the top of the log with 23 points from 12 matches. Although the Durban side started the season strongly, their momentum has faltered in recent games. Milford dropped vital points in their last two fixtures, losing 2-1 to Hungry Lions at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley two weeks ago, followed by a 1-0 defeat to Casric Stars at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban last Saturday.
Black Leopards, too, have stumbled in their recent outings, surrendering five crucial league points. They were held to a 1-1 draw by Upington City at the Thohoyandou Stadium two weeks ago and suffered a narrow 4-3 defeat to the University of Pretoria at the Absa Tuks Stadium last Sunday.
All eyes will be on Leopards' Namibian international, Bethuel Muzeu, to see if he can replicate his stellar performance against the University of Pretoria, where he scored a brace.
According to Black Leopards chairman Tshifhiwa Thidiela, the team has a clean bill of health. Thidiela confirmed that the technical team will have the entire squad at their disposal, with no players currently under suspension.
Milford's strikers face a daunting task breaking through the Leopards' solid defence, marshalled by Amukelani Chauke, Siphelele Magubane, and Tshepo Matsimbi.