With only five matches remaining before the activities for the current Absa Premiership soccer season come to an end, the future of Black Leopards as a member of the country’s elite league is still hanging in the balance. Lidoda duvha are lying in the second-last position on the log.

A quick glance at Leopards’ five remaining fixtures shows that their chances of escaping the chop come the end of the season are slim. They were supposed to be playing against Orlando Pirates this weekend, but the match has been postponed to a later date because Pirates will be engaged in their CAF Champions encounter against TP Mazembe FC from the DR Congo tomorrow.

Orlando Pirates are one of the close contenders for the league title, and for that simple reason Leopards will be lucky if they manage to hold them to a draw. It will be an away fixture for Leopards. Their last four fixtures will be against University of Pretoria (home), Amazulu (away), Mamelodi Sundowns (home) and Free State Stars (away).

Chippa United, who are languishing at the bottom of the log, have a mountain to climb. They still have to play against the second-placed Platinum Stars (away), Ajax Cape Town (home), Orlando Pirates (away), University of Pretoria (home) and Amazulu (away) before the league activities come to an end.

Ajax Cape Town and Amazulu are also fighting for survival. The general manager of Black Leopards, Mr Samuel Khaphathe, is still adamant that his side will not be relegated at the end of the season. He indicated that their target is to win at least three and play to a draw in one of their remaining five matches, so that they can finish their league programme with more than 30 points.