THOHOYANDOU – Black Leopards have booked a place in the last 16 stage of the prestigious Absa Cup KO Competition. They unexpectedly crushed Moroka Swallows FC 3-0 in a thrilling match played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Leopards showed a spirit of commitment from the onset and took the game to their opponents from the first whistle. Their efforts paid off dividends in the 14th minute when Mulondo Sikhwivhilu headed home a thrower by his captain, Wanani Mulaudzi.

Japhta Mabosho caused an upset a little later when he shot straight to the Swallows keeper, Creg Etafia after receiving a neat pass inside the box. The home side received a big blow in the 34th minute when their marksman, Thokozani Mnguni collided head-on with the Swallows left flank, Keryn Jordan. Mnguni lost a tooth during the collision. He was later replaced with their new midfielder, Mangoba Mkhize.

Lidoda enjoyed their 1-0 leadership until the first half proceedings came to an end. Leopards captain, Wanani Mulaudzi was cautioned for a foul on Edzai Kasinauyo. Swallows replaced Keryn Jordan with Gavin Manuel when the game was 60 minutes old. Sbusiso Dlamini the Leopards, Swaziland international and Swallows stopper, Gerry Mcnab were reprimanded with cards after kicking each other intentionally in their fight for the ball.

The domestic lads used all their substitution chances. They later introduced Dingaan Masanabo and Richard Lishivha for Japhta Mabosho and Sbusiso Dlamini respectively. Mulondo Sikhwivhilu came close to scoring when he dribbled everybody and passed the ball to the Swallows keeper as if he was his teammate. A substitute, Mangoba Mkhize initiated a move with Sikhivhilu. The two beat the offside trap and Mkhize gave the ball the final touch in the 80th minute. Sikhwivhilu finished off his brace during the referee's optional time when he released a ground cutter from an awkward angle.