Venda Football Club (VFC) are optimistic about securing maximum points in their opening Motsepe Foundation Championship League match against Milford FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In addition to retaining the majority of the players from last season’s squad, VFC unveiled eight new players last week.

Among those who will don VFC’s colours this season are Ugandan international Charles Lukwago and former Moroka Swallows striker Daniel Gozar. If Gozar is included in the starting eleven, he is expected to form a strong attacking combination with Rudzani “Zoba” Thobo and Thifhelimbilu Magalela.

VFC, affectionately known as Maunavhathu, collected four points from Milford last season. The first-round match ended in a 1-1 draw at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban, while VFC claimed a 1-0 victory in the second-round match at the Thohoyandou Stadium.

The other Thohoyandou-based side, Black Leopards FC, will travel to Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape to face Highbury FC on Friday afternoon. Meanwhile, Durban City, formerly known as Maritzburg United, will host Casric Stars at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban. Hungry Lions will take on Kruger United FC at the Suzuki Stadium in Kimberley. Kruger United are newcomers to the Motsepe Foundation Championship League, having been promoted from the ABC Motsepe League at the end of last season.

JDR Stars will meet Upington City at the Soshanguve Giant Stadium outside Pretoria, while Leruma United will face Pretoria Callies at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, also outside Pretoria. Other fixtures include Baroka FC vs Orbit College and the University of Pretoria vs Cape Town Spurs.