Chiefs take their party to Thohoyandou

Kaizer Chiefs will take their party of an Absa Premiership campaign to Thohoyandou Stadium when they face hosts Black Leopards on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT.

Chiefs have been in joyous mood in recent times, not only celebrating their 50th anniversary earlier this month, but also revelling in a strong lead over champions Mamelodi Sundowns at the top of the PSL log. A first championship title since 2015 seems to be theirs for the taking.

The Soweto giants picked up a second straight win (and a 10th from their last 12 league outings) when they defeated Cape Town City 3-0 at home on 12 January, courtesy of a trio of headers from Leonardo Castro, Samir Nurkovic and Eric Mathoho. The Amakhosi have also claimed 19 points from eight away matches this campaign.

The KwaZulu-Natal derby kicks off our #AbsaPrem weekend when Maritzburg host Amazulu. pic.twitter.com/nADVFpN0ow

— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) January 17, 2020

Coach Ernst Middendorp is doing an admirable job of deflecting from suggestions that Chiefs will march to the title: “I’ve said it before that I’m not counting the points. The focus is on the game just past and the game immediately ahead of us‚” he insisted, before adding: “Let’s focus on our mindset and leave the other stuff out.”

Leopards, meanwhile, suffered a fourth straight defeat in the league when they were beaten 4-2 at Bloemfontein Celtic on 12 January. Lidoda Duvha have claimed just 11 points from nine home matches in the 2019-20 league season, and only the ‘goals scored’ column is preventing them from sitting at the bottom of the log instead of fellow Limpopo strugglers Polokwane City.

“It's [taking Leopards up the log] a challenge that I relish and I believe I have confidence in my ability to turn things around,” said Leopards coach Cavin Johnson, who has yet to taste a victory in charge of Lidoda Duvha since joining the club as Luc Eymael’s replacement in late December. A continuation of the losing streak could see him move through the Thohoyandou exit door as well.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Leopards have met in 21 league matches since 2001-02. The Amakhosi have claimed 11 wins compared to five for Lidoda Duvha, while five games have been drawn. The Limpopo side has recorded two wins, two draws and six defeats from their 10 home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Moses Mabhida Stadium in August 2019, Chiefs claimed a 1-0 home win courtesy of a goal from defender Eric Mathoho. The Amakhosi have taken 13 points from a possible 15 in their last five league games against Lidoda Duvha.

STAR PLAYERS TO WATCH

Black Leopards

Tshwarelo Bereng – The Lesotho midfielder had a goal-scoring cameo appearance against Bloemfontein Celtic last weekend and will hope to see at least some playing time, if not a full start when Kaizer Chiefs visit Thohoyandou on Saturday.

Lesedi Kapinga – Amid Leopards’ struggles of late, attacker Lesedi Kapinga has been a beacon of hope, working tirelessly upfront and creating numerous chances for himself and teammates. He could be a major thorn in the side of the Amakhosi’s defence.

Kaizer Chiefs

Leonardo Castro – The South American striker has rediscovered his scoring form in recent times and looks a huge danger in attack for Chiefs. If Castro continues his scoring form, then Leopards will have a tough time getting positive result this weekend.

Willard Katsande – With George Maluleka suspended, even more responsibility than usual will fall on the shoulders of veteran Willard Katsande to be the leader and pace-setter in the engine room. The Zimbabwean will look to use his experience and physicality against Leopards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

LAST 10 LEAGUE RESULTS

Season Result Scorers

2006/07 Chiefs 0-2 Leopards Kondowe, Masango
2007/08 Chiefs 1-1 Leopards Tshabalala; Ng’ambi
2007/08 Leopards 1-0 Chiefs Makgale
2011/12 Leopards 0-2 Chiefs Baloyi, Majoro
2011/12 Chiefs 0-1 Leopards Zulu
2012/13 Chiefs 2-1 Leopards Parker (pen), Tshabalala; Amidu
2012/13 Leopards 1-3 Chiefs Obaje; Mashamaite, Nkhatha, Baloyi
2018/19 Chiefs 1-0 Leopards Katsande
2018/19 Leopards 1-1 Chiefs Hlongwane; Andrianarimanana
2019/20 Chiefs 1-0 Leopards Mathoho

LEAGUE RECORD (since 2001/02)

Home

P W D L GF GA

Leopards 10 2 2 6 10 19
Chiefs 11 5 3 3 15 10

Away

P W D L GF GA

Leopards 11 3 3 5 10 15
Chiefs 10 6 2 2 19 10

Total

P W D L GF GA

Leopards 21 5 5 11 20 34
Chiefs 21 11 5 5 34 20