Leopards and Stars on the warpath

The Thohoyandou Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity when Black Leopards meet Free State Stars in their Absa Premiership League match on Sunday afternoon. Both Leopards and Free State Stars are still battling to come to terms with the results of their Telkom KO Competition matches last weekend.

The Stars lost 0-1 to Bidvest Wits, while Lidoda Duvha lost 3-5 to Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium. The result of the match between Chiefs and Leopards was determined through a penalty shoot-out, following a 1-1 draw at the end of both the regulation and extra time.

The coach of Black Leopards, Mr Joel Masutha, described their defeat at the hands of Kaizer Chiefs as water under the bridge, saying their focus was on their league matches. “Now that we are out of the Telkom KO Competition, our full focus is on our league programme,” said Masutha.

Mr Masutha revealed that the team’s sharpshooter, Joseph Mhlongo, will be available for selection on Sunday. Mhlongo was replaced by Tumelo Khutlang in their game against Kaizer Chiefs, due to injury. Should he be given a chance on Sunday, Mhlongo is expected to form an excellent combination with Karabo Tshepe, Ivan Mahangwahaya and Tumelo Khutlang at the forefront.

Leopards’ midfielders, Khuliso Mudau and Phathutshedzo Nange, are expected to make things happen in the middle of the park.

Orlando Pirates will host Kaizer Chiefs at the FNB Stadium, while Maritzburg United will undertake a journey to Polokwane, where they will lock horns with Polokwane City at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Chippa United will have a date with Mamelodi Sundowns at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London. The match between Cape Town City and Amazulu will be played at the Cape Town Stadium.

SuperSport United and Lamontville Golden Arrows will fight for points at the Mbombela Stadium, while Bloemfontein Celtic and Baroka FC are to meet at the Dr Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

Date:26 October 2018

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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