Venda Football Club (VFC) must beat Baroka FC when they meet in one of the two Motsepe Foundation Championship League matches on Sunday. This weekend marks the last matches of the year for the league teams.
A win against Baroka would revive VFC's promotion hopes after last Saturday's 3-1 defeat to Kruger United at Thohoyandou Stadium.
VFC head coach Mr Clinton Larsen said he planned to finish the year strongly. He added that promotion is still possible, despite the team's dropping to tenth place and being 10 points behind pace-setters Milford FC. With 17 matches remaining, a victory against Baroka could lift VFC to fifth place.
Baroka coach Mr Tisane Motaung said last Saturday's 3-1 win over Black Leopards showed that his players were quickly adapting to his coaching philosophy. Motaung replaced Mr Daniel Malesela last month after a poor run of results. Baroka, however, remain third from the bottom with 11 points, and their league status is still uncertain, despite the recent win.
VFC's first-choice goalkeeper, Malcolm Jacobs, will return after missing their midweek Nedbank Cup match against Hungry Lions due to suspension. VFC will look to Deolin Mekoa and Matimu Tshabalala to provide the goals.