Fate awaits Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs as they squabble for the league title, promotional play-off positions and to move away from relegation via league matches this afternoon. The match, which is expected to draw much attention, is the one between two wounded sides, Durban City and Black Leopards at the Chatsworth Stadium in KwaZulu-Natal.
City, on top of the log with 52 points from 28 matches, ruined their chance of earning a likely automatic promotion after their 2-1 midweek defeat at home to Milford FC in a replay match that was called off two weeks ago following the death of their player, Sinamandla Zondi, who collapsed and was certified dead en route to hospital.
Leopards should also blame themselves for dropping to fourth position after losing 2-1 away to fellow promotional play-offs candidates, Orbit College FC over the past weekend.
On paper, both City and Leopards are the highest-scoring clubs, with the Durban side boasting of 40 goals and 32 against, which gives them a plus 19 goals difference while the Limpopo side have scored 39 times but defensively, they look too bad after allowing 32 goals against their last line of defence, which gives them a plus seven goals difference.
City will be relying on scoring machines Josling Kamatuka, Samkelo Maseko and midfielder, Ruzaigh Gamildien. Out of the 40 goals the club has scored, the trio have contributed 26.
As for Leopards (fourth place with 44 points from 28 games) their hope for goals is vested on the lethal striker, Bethuel Muzeu, Tshepo Matsimbi, Mwape Musonda and
defender Thendo Mukumela, who has four goals under his belt this season. The four
players have scored 22 of Lidoda Duvha’s 39 goals.
With two matches remaining before the end of the 2024/25 season, City, who have declared their intention to lift the league title in honour of Zondi, are fully aware that losing to Leopards will put them under serious pressure as their closest rivals, Orbit College are breathing down their necks with 49 points.
As for Leopards, the match is also a must-win if they still want to see themselves as contenders for the promotional play-offs position, which is contested by six clubs, which include the same Orbit College, who will take on another play-offs contenders, JDR Stars (7th on the log with 40 points).
