Venda Football Club (VFC) must beat Baroka FC to revive their hopes of promotion when the teams meet in their Motsepe Foundation Championship match at Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.
While a victory over Baroka would go a long way towards restoring Maunavhathu’s lost pride, the match is equally important for the Lebowakgomo side, whose future in the Motsepe Foundation Championship is hanging by a thread. Baroka are second from bottom on the log.
VFC and Baroka are not in the right frame of mind after conceding vital league points to their opponents last weekend. VFC lost 1-3 to Kruger United, while Baroka, or Bakgakga as they are affectionately known, were beaten 0-1 by University of Pretoria FC.
VFC head coach Clinton Larsen is adamant that Maunavhathu will bounce back on Sunday and build on their performance in the first-round fixture. VFC beat Bakgakga 1-0 in that match at Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo.
He argued that it was premature to say VFC were out of the race for promotion because they still have 11 matches to play before the end of the season. Leaving VFC midfielders Ciniso Mazibuko and Sibusiso Sibeko unmarked would be a costly mistake for Baroka’s defenders.
Black Leopards will travel to Durban to face Midlands Wanderers at Princess Magogo Stadium.
The other fixtures are Cape Town City vs Milford FC, The Bees vs Highbury FC, Leicesterford City vs Kruger United, Hungry Lions vs Lerumo Lions, Gomora United vs Upington City and Casric Stars vs University of Pretoria FC.