After dropping five points in their previous two matches, Black Leopards made a comeback and downed Santos 2-0 in their NFD match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

The score was not a true reflection of the game as Black Leopards could have scored half a dozen of goals, if it were not for their strikers who were unlucky.

Leopards’ captain, Harry Nyirenda, did not lose his original fighting spirit, despite the fact that he was cautioned with a card seven minutes into the game. He tackled Sachin Dawood from behind and the referee was lenient enough not to give him his marching orders. Realizing that their midfield was shaky, the Leopards technical staff effected an early change to their starting line-up. They introduced Morgan Shivambu for Ndamulelo Mungadi in the 24th minute.

Leopards were the strongest in the first half, but no goal was scored in the first 45 minutes.

The home side introduced another new face early in the last half. They replaced Jabulani Ndebele with Meshack Maphangule in a bid to boost their right flank. Lidoda Duvha found the net in the 50th minute. Their Malawian international, Harry Nyirenda, scored with a beautiful header after a free kick that was taken by Leonard Ntshangase.

Santos lost cohesion after Leopards introduced Phathutshedzo Nange for Bongani Manana. Santos effected two changes to their starting 11 as a way to neutralize the home side but the move actually worked against them. The game came to a halt for five minutes while the paramedics were attending to an injury of the Leopards’ keeper, Avhashoni Tshinuna, who had a pulled muscle. Ruggert Nyundu scored the Leopards' second goal with a header in the referee’s optional time.