Black Leopards surprised the current log leaders of the National First Division, Milano United, when they beat them 2-1 at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.

The visitors from Cape Town did not panic, despite squandering numerous scoring chances in the opening minutes. In the first instance it was their roving midfielder, Saal Devon, who caused an upset. He suffered the pain of watching his long-range volley going off target by inches in the third minute.

Richard Webber committed a similar blunder a little later, but a midfielder of United, Lesvin Stoffels, headed home to make the score 1-0 in the eighth minute.

The referee, Mr Shumani Tinyani, flashed his first yellow card in the 20th  minute. Thabiso Phosholi of United was booked for a late tackle on Meschack Maphangule. Leopards equalised through Mumuni Abubakar, who scored with a long-range shot.

After the goal, Leopards invaded their opponents’ territory numerous times. Sipamandla Sangweni of the home team was brought down within the box and it was a clear penalty. The league’s top goal scorer, David Zulu, made no mistake from the penalty spot to score his 10th goal. The half-time score were 2-1 in favour of Leopards.

Leopards replaced Matlakala Maboke, Edgar Manaka and Karabo Tsepe, whose performances deteriorated. They introduced Sipamandla Sangweni, Lebogang Mabotja, and Jacob Mokhansi, but the replacements did not change the complexion of the game.

Later in the game, Thabiso Phosholi of United was given a red card for a second bookable offence.