Maunavhathu ready to start the new year with a bang

Venda Football Club (VFC) are optimistic about collecting six points from their two upcoming Motsepe Foundation Championship League matches, boosting their chances of promotion. VFC will host Upington City at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon, followed by a match against Casric Stars at the same venue next Tuesday, 27 January.

The head coach of VFC, Mr Clinton Larsen, said the team was leaving no stone unturned in their preparations for the crucial matches. He admitted that beating Upington City and Casric Stars would be a tough challenge. Larsen revealed that several friendly matches were played during the FIFA break over the past weeks to improve players’ fitness levels.

VFC, also known as Maunavhathu, are currently seventh with 20 points, seven behind pace-setters Milford FC. If they manage to collect six points from these two matches, they are likely to move into second place. The team will pin their hopes for goals on Anathi Ngwadla, Ciniso Mazibuko, and Deolin Mekoa.

As part of strengthening the squad’s striking force, VFC recalled Malawian striker Adepoju Babatunde last week. Containing Casric Stars’ forwards—Decide Chauke, Lifa Makua, and Zebulon Mtshweni—will be a tough task for VFC’s defenders.

The other Thohoyandou-based side, Black Leopards, will play two consecutive away matches. They face Hungry Lions at Mxolisi Dicky Jacobs Stadium in Upington on Sunday, before meeting Upington City at the same venue next Wednesday.

Other weekend fixtures are: Gomora United vs Cape Town City, Highbury FC vs Lerumo Lions, Kruger United vs Baroka FC, University of Pretoria vs Milford FC, and Leicesterford City vs The Bees FC.

Date:23 January 2026

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990.  He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

Read: 462