THOHOYANDOU – Black Leopards continued to redeem their lost pride, this time at the expense of Sundowns Football Club. Lidoda Duvha collected maximum points against Sundowns FC in a Castle Premiership League match played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.

Leopards scored two goals and conceded one in a game that was played in front of an almost capacity crowd. Leopards showed dedication from the start and dominated the better part of the first half. The "Pride of the Far North" opened the score in the 7th minute.

Mulondo Sikhwivhilu beat the keeper with a bicycle kick, after receiving a neat pass from Sbusiso Dlamini. As if they were hypnotised, Sundowns' players continued to watch Leopards' strikers invade their territory. The Thohoyandou outfit found its second goal in the 26th minute through Sbusiso Dlamini.

He forced his way through the shaky Sundowns defence and hooked the ball into the empty net from an awkward angle to bring the half time score to 2-0.

Both sides used all their substitution chances. The team from the Jacaranda city replaced Marco Mthembu, Ishmael Maluleke and Alois Bunjira with Jonathan Greenfield, Carlos Scott and Victor dos Santos respectively.

The home side introduced Rudzani Ramudzuli, Wonder Nhleko and Jafta Mabosho for Duncan Lechesa, Sbusiso Dlamini and Mulondo Sikhwivhilu early in the last stanza. The replacements proved fatal for the local team as players spent the second half running for cover.

Amon Phophi, the Leopards keeper made his presence felt by saving a sure goal from Sundowns captain Daniel Mudau in the 69th minute. Leopards missed two obvious chances in the 74th and 77th minute when Christopher Netshidzivhe and substitute, Jafta Mabosho shot wide from close range. Daniel Mudau scored the solitary goal for the visitors a minute before full time.