Black Leopards were booted out of the lucrative Nedbank Cup KO Competition when Maritzburg United beat them 3-1 at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday evening.

Leopards showed no respect to the PSL team, as they enjoyed more ball possession throughout the first half. United, or The Team of Choice, abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the back. They relied on counter attacks and in the 16th minute their captain, Kurt Lentjies, caught the Leopards’ keeper, Avhashoni Tshinuna, napping and beat him with a long range volley.

United continued to play defensive football, even after scoring their first goal. That gave Lidoda Duvha enough attacking opportunities and Leopards found the equalizer in the 24th minute when Ruggert Nyundu blasted in a rocket, following a brilliant pass by Mxolisi Ntshingila.

The referee, Mr Bafana Mosia, flashed the first yellow card in the 54th minute. Khunadi Nkoana, the Leopards midfielder, handled the ball intentionally and was lucky to escape with a mere caution. A breakdown in communication among the Leopards defenders gave rise to United’s second goal in the 70th minute when Bandile Shandu beat the keeper with a half volley.

Leopards replaced Mxolisi Ntshingila and Morgan Shivambu with Bongani Manana and Marubini Manyane respectively. Things turned against Leopards when they were reduced to ten men in the 74th minute. Thivhavhudzi Ndou was given his marching orders for obstructing Bandile Shandu within the box. The referee also awarded a penalty to United.

Lentjies completed his brace from the white spot. Leopards went down fighting, but could not find the back of the net again.