Black Leopards have reason to press the panic button. They dropped five points in their last two matches.

They drew 2-2 with Cape Town All Stars at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Wednesday. As if that was not enough to worry the team’s fans, Lidoda Duvha lost 0-1 to Highlandspark at the Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa on Saturday.

Their match last Wednesday was equally contested, although the home side squandered numerous scoring chances. The Stars were the first to find the net. In the 40th minute, Kenneth Memela went loose from the middle of the park and blasted in a ground cutter from the edge of the box. Four minutes later, Leopards received a free kick in the 25 meter area, after Ruggert Nyundu was brought down by Harry Lukhele. Nyundu got up and took responsibility for the free kick upon himself. He unleashed a ground cutter and a defender of Stars, David Cale, deflected the ball back into his own net in an attempt to clear.

Leopards introduced Ivan Mahangwahaya for Sanele Mkhize two minutes into the last half. Pressure continued to mount on the visitors’ defenders. Their defender, John Zwane, handled the ball within the box in full view of the referee. That was a clear penalty for Black Leopards. Ruggert Nyundu converted from the white spot.

The keeper of Stars, Eric Maseko, was also warned for protesting against the referee’s decision. The visitors leveled matters in the 84th minute. Solly Xolani gave the ball the final touch after a square pass from James Ngwenya.