WeeklySA_AdminDUEL: Final outcome up in the air, in a Championship fixture pitting two sides fighting to boost their campaign progress…
By Masoja Cele
Motsepe Foundation Championship side The Bees will be gunning for all three vital points when they tackle Black Leopards on Sunday.
The much-expected encounter is scheduled for Kanyamazane Stadium, Nelspruit, starting at 15h00. The Bees play their home matches away from home as their venue, Naas Stadium, does not meet the required NSL standards to host matches of Premier League calibre.
For this fixture, “Yaluma Nyosi” travel for 105km to the Mpumalanga town to host their home games.
Kicking off the season on a high, the club has now slightly removed the foot off the pedal, collecting on five points from a possible 15, consequently dropping down to 6th position in the Championship table.
The Inkomazi region team boasts 12 points from 9 matches. Despite losing 2-1 at the resurgent Cape Town City last weekend, the side picked themselves to a belaboured one-all draw against Gomora United at home. Lebohang Lingela was the recipient of the only Bees goal.
Under the guidance of former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Humphrey Mlwane, the Mpumalanga team’s impressive work-rate has so far kept things intact. In their debut season in the Championship, who thought they would be entangled in the top bracket – just halfway into the campaign?
However, coach Mlwane has a huge task in his hands. The likeable mentor needs to instil confidence and motivate his seemingly diffident personnel to regain their self-esteem.
On a positive note, leading goal scorer Sicelo Masilela is currently in great form, having netted 3 goals thus far, and placing himself perfectly as the contender of the Championship leading goal scorer. Also, former SuperSport United midfielder and captain Ennocent Mkhabela is trusted with pulling the strings in the middle of the park.
On the other hand, the impasse that led FIFA to sanction Leopards from signing new recruits early in the season had a negative impact on their pre-season preparations.Thankfully, the soccer governing body has since lifted the ban, giving “Lidoda Duhva” the greenlight to sign new players while the case is still under investigation.
No doubt, the team has been negatively affected by the ban, which forced the Limpopo side to play some matches with only 10 players. Nevertheless, Leopards are back on their feet to pick up the pieces.
Last week, they claimed their first win of the season by humiliating Kruger United 3-0. Presently, they occupy 15th position on the log standings. Following that win, coach Joel Masutha would definitely be looking to continue the momentum during the Sunday clash.
Undoubtedly, “Lidoda Duhva” will come out guns blazing against “Yaluma Nyosi” with the intention of emerging victors from the duel. Coach Masutha is expected to throw his newly acquired forward Judas Moseamedi into his starting XI. The former Maritzburg United (now Durban City) striker is a reputable goalscorer, whose ability to evade defenders with his speed and tactical awareness is his forte.
Partnering the speedy target man with quicksilver centre-forward Bethuel Muzeu might well be productive for the Limpopo team. Muzeu bagged a hat-trick at Kruger United last week. In defence, Lidoda Duvha will bank on captain Thendo Mukumela’s nimbleness to thwart the imposing Bees forwards.
