With eight matches remaining in the Motsepe Foundation Championship League season, it is still unclear which team will secure outright promotion to the elite league or qualify for the promotional playoffs.
Although Venda Football Club (VFC) is currently in ninth position, head coach Clinton Larsen is confident that Maunavhathu can collect enough points in the remaining matches to secure a place in the playoffs. “Anything can still happen in the remaining matches,” Larsen said, “since there are still 24 points up for grabs.”
VFC have accumulated 27 points so far, 13 behind the top two teams, Milford FC and Kruger United.
A look at Maunavhathu’s remaining fixtures shows that securing a playoff spot will be no easy task. Four of their remaining matches will be played at home.
Their first challenge comes against Upington City at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington on Wednesday, 8 April. VFC will remain in the Northern Cape after this match, returning only for their game against Hungry Lions at the same venue on Saturday, 11 April. Both Upington City and Hungry Lions are close contenders for the league championship.
Maunavhathu will then return home for two tricky matches, hosting relegation candidates The Bees FC on 18 April and pace-setters Milford FC on 22 April. Their other remaining fixtures include Midlands Wanderers (away), Leicesterford City (home), Black Leopards (away) and Highbury FC (home).