Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Black Leopards have not been doing well lately and coach Boebie Solomons will have to act swiftly to reverse the slide that could dent their title ambitions this season.

But it remains to be seen if Solomons will manage to help Lidoda Duvha to regroup at the expense of their hoodoo side, Orlando Pirates, when they meet in an Absa Premiership match at Giyani Stadium tonight at 7.30.

The entire Leopards camp should be desperate for a win tonight after they failed to win their last four matches.

Tshifhiwa "Chief" Thidiela, Leopards' publicist, believes they have a good chance of winning this tie. "We have a 50 percent chance of beating Pirates and we are also motivated because we are playing at home," said Thidiela yesterday.

He refused to be demoralised by Pirates' dominance over his team, maintaining that it would be a different ball game tonight.

Teko Modise, the hugely talented Pirates attacking midfielder, said they were keen to win in Giyani to keep the momentum going. The Cosafa Castle Cup player of the tournament said they would not be lulled by Leopards' recent defeats.

"We are taking them seriously and the fact that they are in the highest league in the country proves that they are a good side," Modise said.

"I want to contribute to Pirates' success in Giyani. I have been doing well because of the unequivocal support of my teammates both on and off the pitch. It is not all about Teko alone, but everybody has been contributing meaningfully in the team."

The match could be an opportunity for Mulondo Sikhwivhilu of Leopards to prove a point to his former team after they sent him back to the Leopards enclosure in the close season.

Sikhwivhilu will be ably assisted by Myron Shongwe up front and David Makgale could be problematic in the midfield.

Tickets for the match are available at Computicket outlets and Shoprite-Checkers stores.