Leopards desperate to break losing streak

by Graeme Jackson

Saturday Aug 15, 2020. 15:00

Black Leopards will be desperate to break their losing streak in the Absa Premiership when they host Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium on Sunday 16 August 2020, kick-off at 15h30.

Leopards suffered a fourth straight defeat and remained rooted to the bottom of the log when they were beaten 1-0 at Bidvest Wits on March 10. Lidoda Duvha have claimed 15 points from 12 home matches so far this season.

Maritzburg claimed a fourth successive league win when they defeated Polokwane City 1-0 at home on March 6, thanks to a late goal from Daylon Claasen. The Team of Choice has claimed 17 points from 12 away matches in the 2019/20 campaign.

In head-to-head stats, Maritzburg and Leopards have met in 11 top-flight league matches since 2005/06. Lidoda Duvha have claimed four wins compared to three for the Team of Choice, while four games have been drawn. The Limpopo side has recorded two wins, two draws and one defeat in five home matches in the rivalry.

When the teams met earlier this season, at Harry Gwala Stadium in August 2019, Leopards claimed a 1-0 away win thanks to a first-half strike from Lesedi Kapinga. It was Lidoda Duvha’s first win over the Team of Choice since 2011/12.

Leopards’ line-up from their 1-0 loss to Wits on March 10: Muleka; Zulu, Gyimah, Masia, Mudau, Abubakar, Bereng, Matlaba (Hlongwane 66′), Mokoena (Kapinga 65′), Mncwango (T.Ndlovu 79′), Musonda.

Maritzburg’s line-up from their 1-0 win over Polokwane on March 6: Ofori, De Reuck, Morgan, Sanoka, Kunene, Kutumela, Buchanan (Nyoni 54′), Claasen, Ntshangase (Timm 71′), Tlolane, Hlongwane (Moseamedi 54′).