Defeat for Leopards

Black Leopards enjoyed ball possession from the start of the match to the bitter end, but they finally lost their NFD League match 0-1 to Lamontville Golden Arrows at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Realizing that the home side were all over them, Golden Arrows decided to abandon their positions and packed themselves at back and relied on counter-attacks. Leopards’ technical staff were forced to effect an early change to their starting line-up. They replaced the injured Sanele Mkhize with Abbas Amidu three minutes into the game.

Amidu was the first player to cause an upset. He hooked an aerial ball within the penalty box and released a half-volley in the ninth minute. The ball did not have enough power to beat the stranded Arrows keeper, Maximillan Mbaeva. Leopards’ dribbling wizard, Leonard Ntshangase, missed a fortune in the 24th minute. He forced his way through the defence of Arrows and lost possession next to the goal line.

The hosts then strengthened their midfield by introducing Samuel Tefu with Thomas Madimba.

The goal that earned Golden Arrows three important points came in the 38th minute. They were awarded a corner kick after Leopards’ centre back, Harry Nyirenda, deflected the ball back while trying to clear. Chris Katjiukua headed home, following a breakdown in communication between Leopards’ defenders, Harry Nyirenda and Dunga Munganga.

Lidoda Duvha used their last substitution chance by introducing Mongezi Bobe for Siphamandla Sangweni. The Thohoyandou outfit realized that it was not their day when a shot by their overlapping defender, Jabulani Ndebele, hit the woodwork and bounced back into the field of play in the referee’s optional time.

Sport - Date: 28 August 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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