Leopards look to avoid hat-trick of losses

Philani Zulu of Kaizer Chiefs challenged by Phathutshedzo Nange of Black Leopards during the Absa Premiership 2018/19 match between Kaizer Chiefs and Black Leopards at the FNB Stadium, Johannesburg on 07 November 2018 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Apr 12, 2019. 15:00

Black Leopards will be looking to avoid a hat-trick of losses in the Absa Premiership when they host Kaizer Chiefs at Thohoyandou Stadium on 13 April 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Leopards have suffered back-to-back defeats in their last two league outings, going down 3-1 and 2-0 (both away from home) against Polokwane City and Orlando Pirates respectively.

Lidoda Duvha have claimed 18 points from 11 home matches this season, with their last result as hosts a 3-1 win over Chippa United in March before the international break.

Chiefs saw their five-game unbeaten run in the league come to an end when they were defeated 1-0 at home by Baroka FC on April 6. It was the Soweto side’s fifth hoe defeat in 2018/19.

The Amakhosi have claimed 18 points from 12 away matches this season, with their last result on the road a 1-1 draw at SuperSport United in mid-March.

In head-to-head stats, Chiefs and Leopards have met in 19 league matches since 2001/02. The Amakhosi have claimed 10 wins compared to five for Lidoda Duvha, while four games have been drawn. The Limpopo side has recorded two wins, one draw and six defeats from their nine home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at FNB Stadium in November 2018, Chiefs claimed a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a strike from midfielder Willard Katsande. It was a third consecutive league win in the rivalry for the Amakhosi.

Leopards’ line-up from their 2-0 loss to Pirates on April 10: Muleka, Munyai, Munganga, Katjiukua, Zulu, Sekotlong (Hlongwane 66’), Masalesa, Bereng, Mudau (Mhlongo 83’), Tshepe (Kapinga 79’), Musonda.

Chiefs’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Baroka on April 6: Bvuma, Mphahlele, Moleko, Cardoso, Hadebe (Moon 38’), Ntiyantiya, Ekstein, Maluleka, Andrianarimanana, Zulu (Zuma 68’), Parker.