NKOWANKOWA – After playing to a 1-1 draw with Bush Bucks at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Wednesday, Black Leopards went on to drop more vital points when they lost 0-1 to Highlandspark Silver Stars at the Nkowankowa Stadium in Tzaneen on Sunday.

As usual, Lidoda duvha were the superiors in as far as ball possesion is concerned, but failed to convert their dominance into goals. Their stikers, Mulondo Sikhwivhilu and Lucky Maselesele, were not aggressive enough to keep the Stars’ defence running.

Mulondo Sikhwivhilu was the first player to go into referee Ace Ncobo’s book. He handled the ball intentionally and was lucky to escape with a yellow card. Stanely Kgatla, the Stars’ midfielder, was also booked for a late tackle on Christopher Netshidzivhe.

The goal that separated the boys from the men came in the 34th minute. Tsepo Ramokala received a neat pass from Sipho Mchabe in the middle of the park, ran straight towards the Leopards goals and released a ground cutter from the left corner that beat the keeper, Guy Mutshi, hands down.

The visitors from Thohoyandou were reduced to 10 men nine minutes before break. Their overlapping midfielder, Jabulani Maluleke, was given his marching orders for an off-the-ball kick on Tsepo Ramokala. Leopards introduced Wanani Mulaudzi for Robert N’gambi in the last half.

As if they were equal to Stars in number, Leopards continued to enjoy more ball possesion. Mulondo Sikhwivhilu and Hlompo Kekana, who came on as a substitute for Christopher Netshidzivhe, squandered clear chances towards the end of the game.