Black Leopards will not participate in the next stage of the Absa Cup KO Competition. They were booted out of the lucrative competition by Kaizer Chiefs, who beat them 0-1 at a packed FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday evening.

The Amakhosi were the first to threaten when Emmanuel “Scara” Ngobese sent a brilliant square pass into the Leopards’ goal mouth area. The power behind the ball forced the keeper of Lidoda Duvha, Johannes Diale, to commit a mistake, but Chiefs’ defender, Cyril Nzama, could not capitalise on this error.

Kaizer Chiefs continued exerting pressure on the Limpopo outfit, but could not open their account as their strikers missed numerous opportunities. The main culprit in this regard was their Ghanaian Louis Agyemang, who missed excellent opportunities in the 20th and 35th minute.

The vistors failed to display the form that they showed when they played against the title-chasing Orlando Pirates in their recent league match that was played at the Thohoyandou Stadium. As if they were hypnotised, it was difficult for the Thohoyandou side to create a scoring opportunity during the first half.

In the second half, both coaches made changes with the intention of finally finding that all-important goal. Chiefs’ coach, Ernst Mid-dendorp, introduced David Mathebula and David Obua for Sihpiwe Mkhonza and Scara Ngobese respectively.

His Leopards’ counterpart, Bibey Mutombo, replaced Tebogo Mashaba with Robert Ngambi. Chiefs found the long-awaited goal after David Mathebula was brought down by Peter Mponda within the box. It was a clear penalty. David Obua scored from the spot.

The Leopards’ coach caused an upset to the fans when he replaced the team’s leading goal scorer, Rudzani Ramudzili, with Solly Masango. Chiefs nearly increased the tally when Gert Schalkwyk’s header narrowly went wide. Leopards spent the remaining minutes of the game defending.