The clock is ticking and VFC seem to have no escape plan

After failing to collect even a single point against Orbit College FC, who beat them 2-1 in front of their home crowd in their Motsepe Foundation Championship League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday, Venda Football Club (VFC) faces another steep mountain to climb this Sunday. They will play against Baroka FC at the Global Stadium in Lebowakgomo.

Although they face no easy task, VFC must strive to collect the maximum points at stake if they are serious about escaping the relegation axe at the end of the season. Maunavhathu, as they are affectionately called, are currently rooted at the bottom of the log with 19 points. VFC must collect at least 15 points in their 10 remaining matches to be safe.

Baroka are close contenders for the league title, lying in fourth position with 31 points. Just like VFC, Baroka lost their match last weekend against Magesi FC, who beat them 2-0.

Whether VFC’s strikers, Matimu Tshabalala, Rotondwa Mutsivhuli, and Rudzani “Zoba” Thobo, will have enough strength to penetrate Baroka's defence remains to be seen. To prove that the team’s defenders are not competent enough, VFC has conceded the greatest number of goals in the league. Their defenders, Nhlanhla Makhubele, Tshovelo Mathebula, and Tumelo Mokgalaka, tend to lose concentration in the dying minutes of the game.

Black Leopards will host Magesi FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday. The other fixtures are University of Pretoria vs Hungry Lions, Casric Stars vs NB La Masia, JDR Stars vs Milford FC, Orbit College vs Maritzburg United, Platinum City Rovers vs Pretoria Callies, and Upington City vs Marumo Gallants.

Date:08 March 2024

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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