Black Leopards booked a place in the promotional play-offs by beating African Warriors 2-0 in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.

The home side started the game like a house on fire, with their midfielders, Morgan Shivambu and Ndamulelo Mungadi, distributing telling passes to the strikers time after time. That forced the visitors from the Free State Province to abandon their positions and play defensive football.

Lidoda Duvha came close to scoring in the eighth minute. They were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Their leading goal scorer, Ruggert Nyundu, tried his luck, but his volley missed the target by inches.

Pressure continued to mount on the visitors' defence as the game progressed. Leopards were awarded a corner kick in the 19th minute. Leonard Ntshangase took the corner kick and Harry Nyirenda, the Malawian international, headed home to bring the half-time score to 1-0.

Leopards were the first to effect a change to their starting line-up. They introduced Meshack Maphangule for Ndamulelo Mungadit. Avhashoni Tshinuna, the Black Leopards keeper, made his presence felt in the 57th minute. Moses Kwena, the Warriors’ overlapping defender, went loose from the middle of the park and unleashed a powerful ground cutter. Tshinuna braved the shot and executed a brilliant save.

George Radebe of Warriors was reprimanded with a card for obstructing Jonathan King in the 74th minute. A defender of Warriors, Freddy Sibanyoni, handled the ball within the box and the referee awarded a penalty to Leopards. Ruggert Nyundu converted from the white spot. Leopards applied delaying tactics for the remaining part of the game.