After registering a historic 5-1 victory over Baroka FC in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday, Venda Football Club (VFC) will fly to Durban on Friday to play against Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium.
The match, which starts at 19:30, is expected to be a thriller, considering that both VFC and City are in top form. VFC, or Maunavhathu as they are affectionately called, are fast becoming a force to be reckoned with, following the appointment of Mr. Stanford Nkoane as head coach last month. When Nkoane took over from Serbian national Vladislav Heric, VFC were languishing at the bottom of the log.
Nkoane's record at the Thohoyandou side speaks volumes. The team has collected six points from three matches under his guidance. VFC are now in 14th place with 15 points, thanks to their recent impressive form.
Durban City are currently leading the pack with 34 points. The team is still in celebratory mode after beating Kruger United 1-0 at the same venue last Friday evening.
VFC will welcome back utility player Tatenda Tavengwa on Friday. Tavengwa has missed the team's last two games after receiving a red card in their match against Milford FC at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban on Sunday, 19 January. Should he be given a chance on Friday, Tavengwa will be expected to form a lethal combination with Onke Moletshe and Banele Gama in the middle of the park. Gama scored a brace in last Saturday's game against Baroka FC.
Stopping City's forwards, Joslin Kamatuka and Ruzaigh Gamaldien, will not be an easy task for VFC's defenders. Kamatuka scored the only goal in City's 1-0 win over Kruger United last Friday.
VFC's head coach, Mr. Stanford Nkoane, is optimistic that the worst result against City on Friday will be a draw.