With most teams affiliated with the Limpopo Stream of the ABC Motsepe League left with eight matches before the end of the current soccer season, the battle for promotion and to avoid relegation will continue this weekend. Five matches are scheduled for Friday afternoon at various venues across the province, with the remainder set to take place on Saturday.
All eyes will be on the clash between Vondwe XI Bullets and Munaca FC at the Makonde Stadium on Friday. The Bullets are in top form, following the appointment of Mr. Tshikani Nkondo as head coach three weeks ago. Their confidence received another boost last Saturday when they defeated Nkowankowa Continentals 1-0 at the Nkowankowa Stadium outside Tzaneen. Munaca FC, however, will enter the game with equal determination after their 2-0 victory over Maruleng Celtic at the Makhado Show Grounds.
United Artists, who suffered a narrow 1-2 defeat to Tzaneen United at the Nkowankowa Stadium, will host Nkowankowa Continentals at the Makhuvha Stadium. Former Venda Football Club playmaker Wanga Khorommbi and the team's goal-scoring machine, Maanda Makhado, are expected to pose serious threats to the Continentals if not adequately contained.
Winners Park will face Mpheni Defenders at the Makhado Show Grounds. The Defenders, fresh from a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Hungry Lions in the Nedbank Cup KO Competition last Sunday, are looking sharp and ready. Meanwhile, Winners Park will aim to recover after a crushing 0-6 defeat to Musina United last Saturday. Key players to watch in the Defenders' camp include Freedom Nyundu and Halatedzi Matumba.
Elsewhere, Black Leopards will visit Maruleng Celtic at the Mankoko Stadium outside Hoedspruit. White Vultures will take on Musina United at the Lulekani Stadium near Phalaborwa, while Tzaneen United will host Tlhotlhokwe Golden Syrup at the Nkowankowa Stadium.
Other fixtures for the weekend include Tubatse United vs. City Motors, The Dolphins vs. Ditlou FC, Sun Rise FC vs. Eleven Fast Tigers, and Royal Pirates vs. Lebash Football Academy.