• Tweet

PLAYMAKER: Black Leopards skipper Mongezi Bobe. Photo: Michael Sheehan/Gallo Images

RELATED ARTICLES

• It's good to be home: Buckley
• Dutch coaching treat for Pitso
• Mathoho move still a mystery

Lidoda Duvha travel to Omdurman without striker Kingston Nkhatha. They had hoped to use Nkhatha in this game before his transfer to Kaizer Chiefs, but he has not returned to training with the club following a holiday in his homeland and so has not been considered. The Zimbabwean's contract with Leopards ends only on Sunday.

A question mark also hangs over Nigerian forward Joshua Obaje, who was late getting back from his close-season break in his home town of Kaduna.

Terrorist attacks in that city have meant there has been a lockdown on travel and Obaje was battling to make it back to South Africa in time to join up with the travelling party.

But it is not just Leopards who have problems. Al-Merreikh's Brazilian coach Ricardo Ferreira says his side will be without seven key players for the game through injuries and, in the case of goalkeeper Essam Al-Hadary, national team commitments.

But he says he has studied Leopards closely and has devised a plan to beat them on Saturday, though he also warned his players to show Lidoda Duvha respect.

"I have watched six games played by Black Leopards, they are very dangerous on the counterattack, so this will demand (that we) prepare a team with good positioning and attacking qualities," said Ferreira. "Because the first game will be played at our home, we must win it and try to score goals which will give us a healthy lead going into the return match in South Africa."

Ferreira says Leopards' lowly position in the Absa Premiership last season should not be seen as a sign of weakness.

Meanwhile, midfielder Nasreldin Al Shigel says his side are looking for a three-goal margin at least.

Leopards will be led by their industrious captain, Mongezi Bobe.

Comments

• Sign in or sign up to comment

Tue May 21 19:03:31 SAST 2013 ::

Jun 27, 2012

ThirdEye

If it not a win for Leopards then they must settle for draw. If they loose, let it be 1-0. That is if they want to progress further.
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

2nevvy4u

thata Dida boy good luck to Leopards they have been representing the country good so far
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

Papage

So this boys never rested, from Play offs, NedBank, PSL and now this, they are the best team ever for 2011-2012 season, what did PSL give them? Nothing, because they are owend by a Vhenda man.

Good Luck Boys and Ntate David, form PSL security Chief, to Garage business, to PSL Club owner, what an achivement and job producer for the country and yet you dont have Rmilions, but you chase hunger away from so many families
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

Tango

What a goodplayer is this captain of Leopards
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

lidodaduvha11

Papage
So this boys never rested, from Play offs, NedBank, PSL and now this, they are the best team ever for 2011-2012 season, what did PSL give them? Nothing, because they are owend by a Vhenda man.

Good Luck Boys and Ntate David, form PSL security Chief, to Garage business, to PSL Club owner, what an achivement and job producer for the country and yet you dont have Rmilions, but you chase hunger away from so many families
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Hey, stick to politics, ur proving to us that u dont nothing about soccer, leopard never went for playoffs, they were away fro relegation zone only SONO AND Santos and santos is busy with palyoffs. Dont call us VHENDA (VENDA)
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

Papage

lidodaduvha11 you are stupid and know nothing about Leopard.

Let me open you eyes: Leopard won play offs last year as well as playing final Nedbank with Pirates, hence they are playing in the Caf Cup, do you understant now? have they rested?
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

Sawyer

lidodaduvha11, lidodaduvha11
whats wrong with u bro? Papage is right. the boys didnt rest since the promotional play offs that saw them into PSL, they never had any break like the other teams. Do u really follow this team?

@Papage
U r right this team is the best for the season, seeing that they just came from the 1 division, fought for their spot in the continent, fought for their spot in the PSL without BIG names in their squad, without hefty sponsorships. What more can we ask from them? They represented the nation than the nantional team , BB
All the best BL,. all soccer loving ppl can just support these boys.
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

Papage

Thanks Sawyer, tell this idiot
Report Abuse

Jun 27, 2012

BRA-MAFUTHA

Good Luck Black Leopard at least u represented SA very well unlike some teams Bafana Bafana and Rats they've failed the country
Report Abuse

Read all 9 comments