Black Leopards did not give in, despite conceding an early goal, and instead they fought back to finally beat Ajax Cape Town 2-1 in their Absa Premiership League match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday evening.

Ajax dominated the first half and took a deserved lead through Abia Nale in the 19th minute. The Cape Town side continued to control the game, but could not extend their lead. The Ajax right back, Mathew Booth, was booked for a late tackle on Raymond Monama in the 29th minute.

Lidoda duvha found their feet in the second half as Ajax sat back and allowed them into the game. Mathew Booth was later replaced with Cecil Van de Laak. The Leopards technical staff revealed their wisdom by introducing Michael Nkambule and Joshua Obaje for Karabo Tsepe and Hector Zulu respectively.

Nkambule’s first touch of the ball ended in a goal. He tried his luck from outside the box in the 73rd minute and the Ajax keeper, Sander Westerveld, watched helplessly as the ball hit the back of the net. The Leopards keeper, Postnet Omony, was lucky to get away with yellow in the 75th minute. He advanced out of the penalty area from where he brought down Khama Billiat, who was on the brink of registering his team’s second goal. Two minutes later, Abia Nale ran in behind the Leopards defence and drew Omony off his line, but the Ugandan international braved the shot and palmed it away for a corner kick.

Five minutes before full time, Joshua Obaje had the chance to steal the win for Leopards. He found himself with an open net and with the keeper scrambling for the ball, but his shot went wide. Rodney Ramagalela nudged the ball home in injury time after the Ajax defence failed to deal with a cross from Brian Amidu near the goal line.