Relegation threatened Leopards in must-win clash

Black Leopards will be fighting for their Absa Premiership survival when they host Cape Town City at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kick off is at 3pm CAT.

Leopards have gone seven matches without a win following their 1-1 draw away to AmaZulu on May 4. The result saw the Limpopo side drop into the relegation playoff berth (though only on goal difference, they are level on points with Free State Stars and Chippa United).

Lidoda Duvha have claimed 19 points from 14 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 2-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns in late April.

City saw their mathematical chances of winning the title ended when they could only draw 2-2 at home to Orlando Pirates on May 4. However, the Cape side are guaranteed to finish in the top four and could yet edge ahead of Bidvest Wits in third.

The Citizens have claimed 18 points from 14 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 2-0 win at Chippa United in late April.

In head-to-head stats, Leopards and City have met in just one previous top-flight match: that encounter took place earlier this season (at Cape Town Stadium in November 2018) and saw the Cape side claim a 3-1 home win thanks to goals from Ayanda Patosi, Allan Kateregga and Siphelele Mthembu.

Victory coupled with a defeat for Bidvest Wits, could move the Citizens up to a third place finish. Leopards, who head into the clash in 15th place on the log standings, need a win to make sure that they avoid automatic relegation back to the country’s second division.

What They Said:

Black Leopards head coach Dylan Kerr:

“We made some mistakes not only against AmaZulu, but if you look at other matches like Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns, Bidvest Wits and Polokwane City, there were things we were supposed to avoid but couldn’t,” said Kerr.

“I’m satisfied by our performance in the last game, the players responded very well.

“I’m really proud of them, just disappointing because we didn’t get what we wanted. I did warn them about trusting other teams to do favours for us. Now all the pressure falls onto our final game of the season.”

Cape Town City head coach Benni McCarthy:

“For me it is all about building,” said McCarthy.

“My first season as a coach I finished fifth, so for my second season I am aiming much higher. Now third if we are lucky. Anything is possible in football. “

Key players:

Black Leopards

Mwape Musonda: With 16 goals this season, the Zambian will win the golden boot award, but for him heading into the final game of the season, that will mean nothing if Leopards are relegated back to the National First Divisions. Kerr will be counting on his star forward to save their season and probably his job.

Chris Katjiukua: Leopards haven’t kept a clean sheet in nine league games that includes a seven game winless run, but that will all be forgotten if Katjiukua can marshal his troops to victory on the back of a solid defensive display against one of the league’s most potent attacks.

Cape Town City

Teko Modise: McCarthy will be relying heavily on the Premiership legend to steer the ship in the Limpopo province amid injury and suspension problems in the midfield position, in what could be the veteran’s final game before retirement. While his body is getting older, Modise’s vision remains and on his day he can pick any defence to pieces.

Thamsanqa Mkhize: The Citizens captain has enjoyed another successful and consistent campaign. Key not only in defence, but also in all that’s good about the club’s offence, Mkhize’s importance to the club’s revolution should not be underestimated.