Leopards, Polokwane open campaign with a derby

by Staff Reporter

Friday Aug 02, 2019. 13:21

Black Leopards and Polokwane City will open their 2019/20 Absa Premiership campaigns with a Limpopo derby at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday 4 August 2019, kick-off at 15h00.

Leopards ended last season with a 1-0 home win over Cape Town City on May 11, a result which secured a 13th place finish on the log. They recorded seven wins, nine draws and 14 defeats for a haul of 30 points.

Lidoda Duvha claimed 22 points at home last season: P15 W6 D4 L5.

Polokwane ended last season with a 3-0 loss away to Orlando Pirates on May 11, a result which saw them end in fifth place on the log. They recorded 11 wins, 11 draws and eight defeats for a haul of 44 points.

Rise and Shine claimed 22 points on the road last season: P15 W5 D7 L3. Their only three defeats on the road were at Mamelodi Sundowns, Maritzburg United and Pirates.

In head-to-head terms, Leopards and Polokwane have met in two top-flight league matches. Both encounters took place last season, with Lidoda Duvha winning 1-0 at home in August 2018 (with a goal from Karabo Tshepe), while the return game in April 2019 saw Rise and Shine exact revenge with a 3-1 triumph, courtesy of strikes from Puleng Tlolane, Mpho Mvelase and Mohammed Anas.

Leopards’ line-up from their 3-1 loss to Polokwane on April 7: K. Ndlovu, Munyai, Munganga, Ndou, Zulu, Nange (Bereng 51’), Masalesa, Mhlongo (Mahangwahaya 68’), Kapinga (Bereng 68’), Hlongwane, Musonda.

Polokwane’s line-up from their 3-1 win over Leopards on April 7: Chigova, Mvelase, Mbonani, Motloung (Nkili 74’), Hlongwane, Manaka, Phiri, J. Maluleke, Booi (Seabi 80’), Tlolane (Musona 69’), Anas.