THOHOYANDOU – Black Leopards gave Hellenic a night to remember when they crushed them 4-1 in their Castle Premiership League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Tuesday evening.

Richard Lishivha, former player of Kaizer Chiefs, destroyed the “Greek gods”, when he scored a hattrick.

Leopards approached the game with the same starting lineup they had used when they held Mamelodi Sundowns to a goalless draw at the same venue last Saturday. The home team started with a bang, scoring two goals within the first twenty minutes. Magic Ratshivhadelo received a pass from Sbusiso Dlamini and passed the ball to Lishivha, whose ground cutter hit the goal post and crossed the goal line in the 8th minute.

Lishivha was on the target again six minutes later. Sbusiso Dlamini, who was nominated Man of the Match, dished a beautiful pass to Lishivha who gave the ball a final touch. Albert Kometsi of Hellenic was reprimanded with a card for protesting against the referee’s decision.

Leopards enjoyed their 2-0 lead until the end of the first half. The centre half for Leopards, Johannes Nkande, went into the referee’s book for obstruction on Graig Bianchi three minutes into the last half. Hellenic nearly hit the target in the 50th minute but the Leopards’ keeper, Conrad Hendricks, palmed Albert Kometsi’s volley away for a corner kick.

Lidoda Duvha went further ahead, when Sbusiso Dlamini unleashed a powerful volley, after a heartbreaking scramble for the ball within the box. This happened in the 65th minute.

The Thohoyandou outfit used all their substitution changes. They introduced Thokozani Mnguni, Jafta Mabosho and Joe Shelembe for the injured Oupa Mabuye, Mpho Dagada and Sbusiso Dlamini. The Capetonians pulled one back in the 70th minute. Albert Kometsi capitalised on the Leopards clearing error and caught their keeper off guard.

Hellenic made two substitutions in quick succession. They replaced Robert Nauseb and Warren Budde with Abram Nteo and Quinton Booysen respectively. This did not change the complexion of the game.

Richard Lishivha finished his hattrick in the 84th minute. Sbusiso Dlamini was voted Man of the Match, and was presented with a trophy for his achievement.