While Black Leopards were still battling to come to terms with the resignation of the team’s head coach, Mr David Bright, who tendered his resignation on Wednesday morning, the team lost 0-1 to Highlands Park in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium that afternoon.

The defeat was the third in a row for the Thohoyandou outfit. Just like in the two previous lost matches, Lidoda duvha dominated the proceedings from the first whistle up to the bitter end, only to concede silly goals in the dying minutes of the games.

Although he was tightly marked, Leopards’ killer striker, Ruggert Nyundu, threatened to score in the 14th minute. He received a neat pass from Marks Munyai and made a quick turn with the ball before unleashing a powerful ground cutter. The visitors’ keeper, Tapuwa Kapini, braved the shot to execute a brilliant save.

Leopards strengthened their midfield by introducing Meshack Maphangule and sacrificed Jabulani Ndebele in the 34th minute. Highlands Park managed to absorb the relentless pressure from the Leopards strikers until the referee blew the half time whistle.

Lidoda duvha continued to take the game to the opponents in the last half, but Lady Luck was not on their side. They replaced their fast forward, Leonard Ntshangase, with Ivan Mahangwahaya seven minutes into the last half. To add to their woes, Leopards’ keeper, Avhashoni Tshinuna, sustained an injury to the backbone while trying to clear a volley and had to be replaced with Michael Hlahatsi.

The goal which separated the boys from the men came in the 74th minute. Richard Matloga headed home following a square pass from Muzi Thabotha. Highlands Park played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.

The results of the other NFD matches which were also played on Wednesday afternoon are: Witbank Spurs 3 Baroka 1, Cape Town All Stars 2 FC Cape Town 1, African Warriors 1 Mbombela United 0, Milano United 2 Amazulu 0, Royal Eagles 3 Vasco Da Gama 1 and Mthatha Bucks 1 Thanda Royal Zulu 1.