The long-awaited Motsepe Foundation Championship League match between Black Leopards and Venda Football Club (VFC) will take place at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Apart from being a derby, both Black Leopards and VFC have good reason to fight for maximum points.
A victory for Black Leopards would boost their chances of qualifying for the promotional playoffs at the end of the season. Although they are currently seventh on the log, Lidoda Duvha are only five points behind second-placed Kruger United and JDR Stars. If they secure a win against VFC on Saturday, they will move up just one spot in the standings.
At the time of our going to press, it was unclear whether Leopards' left-back Siphelele Magubane would pass the team's late fitness test. Magubane was stretchered off with a left foot injury in their game against Baroka FC at the same venue last Saturday. If he is unavailable for selection, Amukelani Chauke and Ndivhuwo Ravhuhali will be on standby.
For VFC, the match is a matter of survival. Maunavhathu, as they are also known, are among the bottom three teams on the log. A defeat on Saturday could see them drop to last place. Leopards will need to keep a close eye on Judas Moseamedi, Tatenda Tavengwa, and Thabelo Tshikweta—otherwise, they could be in for a tough afternoon.
Log leaders Durban City will travel to Pretoria to face the University of Pretoria at the Absa Tuks Stadium. Other weekend fixtures include Highbury vs Casric Stars, Baroka vs JDR Stars, Cape Town Spurs vs Leruma United, Milford FC vs Kruger United, Orbit College vs Pretoria Callies, and Upington City vs Hungry Lions.