Black Leopards proved beyond doubt that they are ready for the league activities when they crushed Monomotapa from Zimbabwe 2-1 in their rehearsal match that was played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

In was a return match for Leopards. Their first match was played at the Sakubva Stadium in Mutare, Zimbabwe, two weeks ago.

The referee, Mr Shumani Tinyani, flashed the first yellow card to the keeper of Monomotapa, Muzondiwa Gonese. He was warned for wasting time. Sibusiso Dlamini, the Leopards’ fast forward, missed a fortune in the 25th minute when he dribbled past two defenders in a row and shot wide with the keeper well beaten. His teammate, Tebogo Mashaba, committed a similar blunder a little later.

Another player from the Zimbabwean side, James Phiri, was warned with a card for dangerous play on Duncan Lechesa. The home side was the first to blow the trumpet. Their goal came via Wanani Mulaudzi who connected a neat square pass from Sibusiso Dlamini in the 55th minute. The Leopards’ left winger, Tebogo Mashaba, was brought down within the opponents’ box and it was a penalty for the visitors. Fernando Matola squandered an opportunity by shooting straight to the keeper, who palmed the ball back into the field of play.

Tebogo Mashaba scored the Leopards’ second goal in the 70th minute after releasing a ground cutter from the far left corner. Monomotapa were awarded a penalty after the Leopards defender, Allan Kamanga, handled the ball within the box. Mhutlisi Maphosa converted the opportunity into a goal to bring the final score to 2-1.