Black Leopards scored an early goal, but finally shared the spoils with Jomo Cosmos, when they played to a 1-1 draw in their Absa Premiership League match at the Giyani Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Leopards were without their right back, Moses Kwena, who was still serving his suspension after accumulating three yellow cards in previous matches. His place was taken by their new signee, Kleinbooi Taaibos.

The home side took the game to their opponents from the onset, with their midfielders, Khethowakhe Masuku and Tiyani Mabunda, pushing forward and forcing the Cosmos defence to commit careless mistakes.  Thabo Mongalo of Leopards was warned with a card for a late tackle on Bamuza Sono in the eighth minute.

Lidoda Duvha took the lead in the 16th minute. Their Nigerian international, Joshua Obaje, capitalised on a defensive error by Cosmos and beat the keeper with a half volley. Lebogang Pila of Cosmos went into the referee’s book for obstructing Kleinbooi Taaibos in the 28th minute.

Leopards nearly increased the margin in the 38th minute. Their slender midfielder, Tiyani Mabunda, missed a sitter with the Cosmos keeper, Avril Phadi, already beaten.

In the second half, Cosmos introduced Alton Meiring for Katlekgo Loke. Meiring formed a deadly combination with Siyabonga Nontshingila at the forefront. Leopards’ keeper, Postnet Omony, denied Bamuza Sono a sure goal in the 67th minute. Omony stretched to the limit to execute a brilliant save and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

Realising that victory was almost certain, Leopards started to apply delaying tactics by relaxing on the ball. Their midfielder, Khethowakhe Masuku, was reprimanded with a card for wasting time. Cosmos snatched an equaliser on the stroke of full time via Alton Meiring. He received a neat pass from Thabiso Hlalele and made no mistake.