After playing to a goalless draw with Leicesterford City at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg last Sunday, Venda Football Club (VFC) are aiming to secure maximum points against Hungry Lions when they meet in their Motsepe Foundation Championship match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
VFC, better known as Maunavhathu, must win the match to stay in the league race. The Thohoyandou outfit are currently in seventh place on five points, five behind pace-setters Casric Stars. Both VFC and Hungry Lions have won only one of their four matches to date.
VFC's midfielders, Tatenda Tavengwa and Tshepo Mofokeng, will have the mammoth task of neutralising the Lions' playmakers, Tshidiso Masisi and Morena Monaheng.
The Kimberley-based Hungry Lions played to a goalless draw with the University of Pretoria at the Absa Tuks Stadium in Pretoria last Saturday.
Black Leopards will be away to Leicesterford City at Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday. It was not clear at the time of our going to press whether the transfer ban imposed on Leopards by the world's football-governing body, FIFA, would be lifted before their match.
If the ban remains in place, Lidoda Duvha will be forced to play with only two U/23 players on their substitutes' bench instead of the prescribed minimum of three. Defender Thendo Mukumela will continue to play as goalkeeper if the sanction is still in force on Sunday.
Other fixtures this weekend are: Casric Stars v Lerumo Lions, Gomora United v Baroka FC, Highbury FC v The Bees, Kruger United v University of Pretoria, Milford FC v Cape Town City and Upington City v Midlands Wanderers.