Black Leopards are gearing up for another uphill battle as they prepare to face JDR Stars in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium outside Pretoria next Tuesday, 16 April.
Things are not going according to plan in the Leopards' camp. Lidoda duvha have only managed to collect one point in their last three matches, all of which were played at the Thohoyandou Stadium. They suffered a 0-1 defeat against Magesi FC and went down 2-4 to Venda Football Club before securing a goalless draw with Baroka FC last Sunday.
The head coach of Black Leopards, Mr Solly Luvhengo, remains confident that his team is still on course to finish their league programme within the top-three bracket. He emphasised that the only way to achieve that goal was to win at least five of their remaining seven matches.
Asked about the availability of players for Tuesday's crucial game, Luvhengo confirmed that their number one goalkeeper, Mashudu Makhavhu, would miss the game because of a finger injury.
Mr Nnditsheni Nemasisi, the head coach of Stars, warned that Black Leopards would be in for a big surprise if they underestimated them. He highlighted the potential threat posed by a combination of Donald Mudau, Bethuel Muzeu, and Jean Golly in the Leopards' striking force, capable of causing panic among the opposition defenders.
In other fixtures, Venda Football Club will host Casric Stars at the Thohoyandou Stadium the following day (Wednesday). Additional matches include NB LA Masia vs Baroka FC, Magesi FC vs Hungry Lions, Milford FC vs Marumo Gallants, Maritzburg United vs University of Pretoria FC, Orbit College vs Pretoria Callies, and Upington City vs Platinum City Rovers.