With seven matches remaining before the end of the current Motsepe Foundation Championship League season, the future of Venda Football Club (VFC) is still hanging by a thread.
VFC are in third place from the bottom of the log, tied with Cape Town Spurs on 23 points, three points above Leruma United.
A closer look at VFC's remaining fixtures shows the team has a mountain to climb. Four of their remaining matches will be played away from home, with three of those against teams also fighting for survival.
Maunavhathu's first task will be to try and beat their rivals, Black Leopards, when they face off at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Although they will be playing in front of their home crowd, it will technically be an away fixture for VFC.
They will host Hungry Lions at Thohoyandou Stadium next Saturday, 12 April. Their other remaining home fixtures are against Upington City (26 April) and Casric Stars (11 May). Apart from Saturday's fixture against Black Leopards, VFC will travel for away matches against Leruma United, Highbury FC, and Kruger United.
Maunavhathu must collect at least 10 points from their seven remaining fixtures to retain their Motsepe Foundation Championship franchise for at least one more season. While it will not be easy, VFC must beat their fellow relegation candidates—Upington City, Hungry Lions, and Leruma United—to ensure their safety.
VFC's assistant coach, Mr Luvhengo Mungomeni, has expressed optimism about the team's chances of escaping relegation. He noted that everyone in the camp is fully aware that the outcome of the seven remaining fixtures will determine the team's fate.