THOHOYANDOU – Thohoyandou Stadium is expected to be packed to capacity, when the pride of the Far North, Black Leopards lock horns with Santos in a BP Top 8 fixture.

It is the same Santos that shamed Leopards in front of their home crowd when they beat them 4-1 in a league fixture last season.

Black Leopards MD Mr David Thidiela proudly stated that history will never repeat itself. "We have all what it takes to win the championship for this competition," said Thidiela. According to him they are going to use Santos as one of their stepping stones to the finals.

In a bid to tighten up their loose ends, Black Leopards have played two rehearsal matches last weekend. They lost 0-1 to Highlandspark Silver Stars at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Friday. They traveled to Phalaborwa, where they played against Phalaborwa Invitation XI on Sunday, a match that Black Leopards won 1-0.

Leopards have recently signed two players from the defunct Ria Stars in a bid to strengthen their current squad. Apart from that, their number one goalkeeper, Joel Masutha and their goal poacher, Mulondo Sikhwivhilu will be available for selection on Sunday. The two were out of action for several weeks due to poor health.

The match is scheduled to kick off at 15:00.

In the other BP Top 8 fixture that will be played on the same day, Supersport United will play against their old rivals, Wits University at the Caledonian Stadium. The other fixtures in the same competition are Moroka Swallows vs Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns vs Jomo Cosmos.

According to the administrative officer of the league, Mr Bafana Dlamini, one of the rules for the competition is that the golden goal rule will apply at all stages, as was the case last season.