Black Leopards kept their hopes for participating in the promotional playoffs alive by beating Dynamos 2-0 in their National First Division League match at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.

Dynamos had nothing to lose in the match as they were already out of the relegation zone, while Lidoda Duvha had everything at stake. Dynamos approached the game aggressively. Their fighting spirit vanished shortly after one of their midfielders, Charles Kalayire, was booked for a late tackle on Rodney Ramagalela in the 10th minute.

Leopards regrouped soon afterwards with their midfielders, Raymond Monama and Tiyani Mabunda, sending some defence-splitting passes to their goal poachers. Leopards opened their account in the 24th minute. Their diminutive striker, Mahlatse Maake, won the ball from the left corner and sent a volley to the box. Vincent Xakane, the overlapping left back, was waiting at the edge of the box from where he beat the Dynamos keeper, Mashudu Mamphitha, with a header.

The pride of Giyani replaced Charles Kalayire with Doctor Matsimbi seven minutes before the break.

Realizing that Mahlaste Maake was a thorn in the flesh of their defenders, Dynamos tried to neutralize him by tackling him the rough way. That resulted in two of their key players, Thabo Mogkalushi and Allan Kamanga, going into the referee’s book for dangerous tackles.

Leopards introduced Grant Lungu and Robert Ngambi for Dingane Masanabo and Mahlatse Maake respectively. Leopards increased the margin through Rodney Ramagalela in the 78th minute. He unleashed from outside the box and a defender of Dynamos deflected the ball back into his own net in an attempt to clear. Dynamos were out of touch for the remaining part of the game.