WeeklySA_AdminTACTICIAN: With one in six outings, his charges Venda FC yet to fire on all cylinders…
By Masoja Cele
Struggling Lerumo Lions host Venda FC in the Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture at Olympia Stadium, Rustenburg, on Sunday.
The North West team joined the Championship after buying the franchise of Pretoria Callies in July 2025.The team is owned by North West businesswoman Sibongile Marokana. Marokana is the third woman to own a PSL club after Mato Madlala, the chairlady of Lamontville Golden Arrows, and Shauwnn Mkhize of the ill-fated Royal AM FC fame.
Prior to acquiring Callies’ status, the team played in the ABC Motsepe League in the Bokone Bophirima region.
Christened “The Spear” or “The Weapons” in the football terraces, Lions are struggling to acclimatise to the high demands of football in the higher ranks.
In their debut season in the Second Division, “The Spear” have played five matches, won one, drew one and lost three. They rank 13th on the log standings with four points.
Head coach Tshepo Maphari, assisted by former Orlando Pirates player Lizo Mjempu, will have to instill some confidence and courage to his charges sooner than later.
The Eastern Cape-born Mjempu has played for Cape Town Ajax, Orlando Pirates and Jomo Cosmos. He gained vast experience during his playing days, which could be helpful to the club experiencing adjustment problems and eager to achieve positive results as a matter of urgency.
The Spear have a number of quality players who can be a menace against Venda FC – in Ntsako Mathebula and Paseka Nkotsi, who form an impenetrable spine in the midfield. The pair will be expected to supply striker Mfana Mlotshwa with good deliveries for him to bang the net.
Playing against Venda FC would be a tough battle as the Limpopo outfit has promised to do better after the appointment of the experienced Durban-born manager Clinton Larsen. The ex-Magesi FC mentor joined the Venda side in June 2025. He has been without a club since parting ways with Dikwena Tsa Meetse.
Larson, who steered Magesi to a promotion in the Premier League during the 2023/24 campaign, is assisted by the former Black Leopards player Solly Luvhengo.
Since his arrival, the former Lamontville Golden Arrows coach has clocked one win, three draws and two losses.
“The Maunavhathu”, as Venda FC are known in football circles, are perched in the ninth position on the log table with 6 points. Larsen will hope the long trip to the North West turns out to be productive for his side.
Experienced players in the mould of the well-travelled Judas Moseamedi and former Royal AM player and Lesotho International Sera Motebang will be able to breach the Lerumo defence and score.
In the engine room, Larsen is spoilt for choice for his final selection as the likes of Deolin Mekoa, Tatenda Tavengwa and Chris Matombo will not allow the opposition midfield to dictate play. Former Jomo Cosmos defender Thato Lingwati is the pillar of the Venda defence. Kick-off 15:30.
