Surprise victory

After a string of poor results, Black Leopards made a comeback and beat FC Cape Town 2-0 in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Saturday.

The victory was a warm welcome to the team’s new head coach, Mr Mark Harrison, who was seated on the technical bench for the first time after his appointment two weeks ago.

Most of the Leopards’ regular players, including Jabulani Ndebele, Lebohang Mabotja, Ntokozo Mbhele and the goalkeeper, Jacob Mokhasi, were not part of the team against the Capetonians. Their places were taken by Shimi Radebe, Ndamulelo Mugadi, Sanele Mkhize and Tsatsi Theletsane respectively.

It took the home side 10 minutes to knock on the opponents’ door. Their diminutive striker, Bongani Manana, beat two defenders and lost possession with only the keeper to beat. Realising that their new signee, Ndamulelo Mugadi, was weary from the onset, they replaced him with Matlakala Maboke in the 19th minute.

Lidoda Duvha’s dribbling wizard, Leonard Ntshangase, was warned with a card for obstructing Thabiso Mokeona six minutes later.

Leopards took the lead in the 37th minute. They were awarded a free kick in the 35m area after an illegal tackle on Sanele Mkhize. Mumini Abubakar flicked the ball into the net to give the Thohoyandou outfit a 1-0 half-time lead.

Maboke Matlakala missed a great chance three minutes into the last half. He received a beautiful pass from Leonard Ntshangase and shot wide from close range. Leopards later replaced Siphamandla Sithole and Sanele Mkhize with Thivhavhudzi Ndou and Meshack Maphangule respectively.

Maphangule and Ntshangase formed a deadly combination in the midfield. Leopards increased the margin through Ntshangase in the 78th minute. He beat the keeper with a ground cutter after a cross from Maphangule.     

Sport - Date: 12 December 2014

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.

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