Leopards look to bounce back

King Ndlovu of Black Leopards FC

Friday Nov 29, 2019. 16:25

Black Leopards will look to bounce back from a midweek defeat in the Absa Premiership when they host Golden Arrows at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday 30 November 2019, kick-off at 18h00.

Leopards suffered a fifth defeat (and their heaviest) of the season when they were beaten 3-0 at bottom-of-the-log Chippa United on November 27. Lidoda Duvha have claimed seven points from six home matches this season, and they did defeat Cape Town City 2-1 in their last game as hosts.

Arrows claimed a second successive league win when they edged Baroka FC 1-0 away on November 27, with a late goal from the combination of Danny Venter and Nkosinathi Sibisi. Abafana Bes’thende have claimed just six points from as many away matches this season.

In head-to-head stats, Arrows and Leopards have met in 20 top-flight league matches since 2001/02. Abafana Bes’thende have claimed eight wins compared to five for Lidoda Duvha, while seven games have been drawn. The Limpopo side has won five of their 10 home matches in the rivalry, suffering just one defeat in the process.

Last season Arrows took four points off Leopards, winning 1-0 in Durban in October 2018, while the return game in the Limpopo province in January 2019 ended 1-1 – with goals from Mwape Musonda and Lerato Lamola.

Leopards’ line-up from their 3-0 loss to Chippa on November 27: Mendes, Matlaba, Ndou, Gyimah (Malama 73’), Zulu, Phala, Mokoena, Ng’ambi (Andrianarimanana 59’), Kapinga, Mncwango, Musonda (Mhlongo 46’).

Arrows’ line-up from their 1-0 win over Baroka on November 27: Sibanda, S. Dube, Sibisi, Mathiane, Lunga, Makhubela, Shitolo, Mtshali (Sibeko 81’), Sibiya (Venter 67’), M. Gumede (Conco 46’), Mutizwa.