THOHOYANDOU - Black Leopards took Orlando Pirates by surprise when they held them to a 1-1 draw in their well-contested PSL fixture at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday (April 6).

The result was not a true reflection of the game as it was characterized by wasted chances.

The Leopards’ coach, Gavin Hunt, was forced to effect an early change to his original team when he introduced Raymond Seneo for the injured Godfrey Ramudzuli in the 10th minute. Lidoda Duvha could have been the first to blow the trumpet. Mulondo Sikhwivhilu dispossessed Willem Jackson, but instead of trying his luck, he decided to share the ball with his captain, Coxwell Ratshivhadelo. The pass was poor and did not reach its intended destination.

Pirates nearly hit the target in the 38th minute. Pollen Ndlanya dribbled past two Leopards defenders, Augustine Mabuye and Thokozani Mnguni in a row and released a poor pass to Thabang Lebese. Rsthivhadelo watched in disbelief as his header went a little wide two minutes thereafter.

Conrad Hendricks, the Leopards’ keeper who was named Man of the Match denied Pirates a goal, when he punched away Pilane Kubeka’s volley for a corner kick. The visiting side took the lead a minute before the break. Lesley Manyathela released a powerful ground cutter from the right corner and beat Conrad Hendricks.

Leopards strengthened their goal-poaching department by leaving Mulondo Sikhwivhilu in the dressing room for Rudzani Ramudzuli. They found the equalizer in the 49th minute, when Ramudzuli headed home a place kick that was taken by Augustine Mabuye.

The Buccaneers introduced Steve Lekoelea at the expense of Joseph Ngake in the 55th minutes while Bennedict Vilakazi replaced Thabo Mngomeni five minutes later. Leopards missed a fortune three minutes before full time when Sbusiso Dlamini’s ground cutter missed the mouth by inches.