Black Leopards came back with empty hands from their National First Division League (NFD) match against Jomo Cosmos, which was played at the wet and slippery Makhulong Stadium in Thembisa on Saturday afternoon.

Leopards lost 0-1. Despite the heavy underfoot conditions, both sides played a quick-passing game. Leopards’ Malawian international, Robert Ngambi, was a marvel to watch. Ngambi’s well-timed passes kept the Cosmos defence running for cover.

The host had good scoring chances as well, but their ageing striker, Alton Meiring, could not keep up with his younger and faster team mates and this cost them scoring chances. The only goal of the game came three minutes towards half time. Meiring connected Siya Nhlapo’s cross and beat the Leopards’ keeper with a ground cutter.

Lidoda Duvha came close to scoring in the dying minutes, but the Cosmos defenders desperately cleared any ball that came into their danger area.

Cosmos have 41 points, while the second-placed University of Pretoria have 33. However, with only two matches remaining, it is impossible to catch the Ezenkosi.

In the other National First Division League matches that were also played over the weekend, FC AK beat Dynamos 2-1 at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

In their Mpumalanga derby, Witbank Spurs were held to a goalless draw by their neighbours, Batau FC, at the Ackerville Stadium in Witbank. Batau will drop to the lower division next season, following the result. In the last match of the weekend, University of Pretoria crushed United FC 3-0.