Leopards could book Premiership spot with win tonight
Black Leopards trained at night this week as coach Joel Masutha wanted to get the players ready to play under the lights ahead of their National First Division play-offs match where they meet Platinum Stars at Moruleng Stadium tonight.
Phathutshedzo Nange of Black Leopards celebrates with teammates during the Absa Premiership Promotion Playoffs match between Black Leopards and Platinum Stars at Thohoyandou Stadium. (Pic Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)
The match is set for an 8.15pm start.
Lidoda Duvha can afford a draw against a desperate Dikwena side but Masutha said they will be going for the full points which will almost guarantee them Absa Premiership football next season.
Should they win the three points will take Lidoda Duvha’s tally to seven with one more game to play. They will then need just a point in their last game to book their spot in the top flight.
For Dikwena, a draw or defeat could spell doom and gloom. Roger De Sa’s side are sitting on one point earned in a goalless draw against Jomo Cosmos on Wednesday going into tonight’s match. If they win, they could jump to first place in the three team mini league.
De Sa said this week that they have targeted seven points which he believes will be enough for them to retain their Premiership spot.
“We always knew that we needed seven points in the play-offs. Seven points is usually the amount that takes you through. We got a point now and we have two games to go. We have got to win both. There’s no other calculation,” said De Sa.
Dikwena defender Ennocent Mkhabela rued missed chances against Ezenkosi as he felt they could have won the match to put themselves in a better position ahead of the Leopards match.
“It was a tough match. They also came here for a win. But we should have converted the few chances we had and made the situation a little easier for ourselves,” said Mkhabela.
“You can get one goal and it changes the whole situation. We have to continue fighting and push for a win (in the next match),” added the former Kaizer Chiefs player.
Remaining Fixtures:
Tonight: Platinum Stars v Black Leopards
Wednesday: Black Leopards v Jomo Cosmos
June 2: Jomo Cosmos v Platinum Stars
