Black Leopards’ supporters left the Makhuvha Stadium with sore hearts last Saturday after their team let Baroka FC off the hook and played to a 2-2 draw.

The result was not a true reflection of the game as Lidoda Duvha could have scored more than half a dozen of goals in the match. Baroka were out of touch in the opening 15 minutes of the game. Their front runner, Meshack Maphangule, caused two upsets in quick succession. In the first instance he held onto the ball for too long just outside the box, until he lost possession. Before long he committed a similar blunder, following a square pass from Jabulani Ndebele.

Baroka gained momentum as the game progressed. They were the first to find the net. Their opening goal came in the 24th minute. Excellent Mokobane beat the Leopards’ keeper, Dino Visser, with a half-volley. The hosts continued to dominate, even after conceding the goal.

Realizing that Maphangule was not playing well, they replaced him with Karabo Tsepe in the 34th minute. Tsepe formed a deadly combination with the David Zulu at the forefront.

It was in the 38th minute when the Thohoyandou side found the equalizer. A breakdown in communication between the keeper of Baroka, Veli Motwa, and his defender, Paul Mamabolo, gave rise to the Leopards’ opening goal. Maboke Matlakala capitalized and scored easily to bring the half-time score to 1-1.

The second half saw Baroka abandon their positions and play defensive football, relying mostly on counter-attacks. Black Leopards increased the margin through Jabulani Ndebele. He made no mistake after receiving a brilliant pass from Leonard Ntshangase.

Leopards later replaced Maboke Matkakala with Ivan Mahangwahaya. That did not stop Baroka from scoring their second goal, which came via Tsepo Mothiba in the 74th minute. He scored with a bicycle kick.