With only six matches remaining before the end of the league activities, the coach of Black Leopards, Mr Kostadin Papic, is optimistic that his side will emerge as champions and gain automatic promotion to the Absa Premiership Division. This, despite the fact that five of their remaining matches will be played away from home.

Black Leopards are currently in the third position on the log with 41 points, seven behind the pace setters, Chippa United. The Thohoyandou outfit is one point behind the second-placed Baroka FC. The only match Lidoda Duvha will play at home will be against United FC when they will clash at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday, 19 April.

Papic reiterated the fact that they will reduce the points gap from seven to four when they meet Chippa at the Philipi Stadium in Cape Town next Friday evening, 4 April. “Who knows, Chippa might be four points ahead of us by the time we meet them next week if Baroka manage to beat them this Sunday,” said Papic. He also indicated that they were not the only ones who would play five of their remaining matches away from home, saying Chippa United were facing a similar situation.

Black Leopards will play against Maluti FET College at the Charles Mopedi Stadium in the Free State tomorrow afternoon, before flying to Cape Town for their match against Chippa United next Friday.

Apart from those two matches, Leopards still have to play against United FC (home), Milano United, FC Cape Town and Jomo Cosmos.

Chippa United’s remaining matches are Baroka FC, Black Leopards, Witbank Spurs, United FC, Santos and Milano United.  The last league matches will be played on Sunday, May 11.