THOHOYANDOU – It is still possible for Black Leopards to remain in the elite league next season, but the chances are remote. A closer look at the road ahead of them shows that anything is still possible though their chances are becoming narrow by the day.

Apart from losing points against the league's weaklings in African Wanderers and Hellenic, Black Leopards are doing the unexpected by losing numerous home matches. One would expect them to have at least won one of their most recent home fixtures.

They lost 0-1 Supersport United two weeks ago. Their most disappointing results was the 1-2 defeat that they had suffered at the hands of Jomo Cosmos at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday. The team still has eight matches to play before wrapping up their activities for the current season.

That includes tonight's away fixture against Manning Rangers. This one will be played at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban starting at 20:00. Five of their remaining eight matches will be played at their own home ground, Thohoyandou Stadium.

Their next home fixture will be against Bush Bucks. It will be played next Saturday, March 8. That will be followed by an away fixture against Sundowns Football Club. This one will be played at the Loftus Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday, March 16.

Ajax Cape Town will pay them a visit on Saturday March 29. They will travel to the Olympia Stadium in North West on Saturday, April 5. That is where they will play against Kaizer Chiefs. Wits University will come to Thohoyandou on Saturday, April 19. The last two home fixtures will be against Dynamos and Santos on May 4 and May 17 respectively.