Leopards hold onto 12th NFD position

BLACK Leopards FC are hanging onto 12th position in the National First Division (NFD) log with only two points after playing three matches without a win.

They lost 1-0 against Golden Arrows, and played to a 1-1 draw with Jomo Cosmos in the opening games of the NFD. On Saturday, Leopards continued disappointing their supporters when they played to a 1-1 draw against Garankuwa United in their match played at the Thohoyandou Stadium.

Lidoda Duvha approached the game with a lot of energy, but failed to find the back of the net on many occasions.

The home side could have registered the first goal in the 11th minute through Leonard Ntshangase’s powerful header, but United keeper, Mwenya Chibwe was in a good position to flick the ball over the goalpost.

Just a few minutes before half-time Lidoda Duvha striker, Maboke Matlakala missed tapping the ball into the net when he was alone in the box after receiving a good square-pass from Morgan Shivambu. United was very aggressive in counter attacks. After half-time, Ntshangase outran United defender, Mzondi Mthombeni and found the back of the net in the 51st minute, making it 1-0 in favour of Leopards.

In the 56th minute, the visitors organised themselves and played as a team, where their striker, David Nvula Radebe launched a powerful shot that missed by an inch. United’s raid to equalise continued as they terrorised Lidoda Duvha defenders, Jean Munganga and Lebogang Mabotja until Jabulani Ndebele scored the equaliser just 12 minutes before the end whistle was blown. United’s equalising goal brought frustration to the Lidoda Duvha defenders. The score was 1-1 when the referee blew the end whistle.

Leopards coach, Solly Luvhengo said he was worried about the brilliant chances the players missed during the first half of the game, and they could have killed the game in the first half.

United coach, Leslie Notsi said he was happy with the away draw. He said the team made a lot of mistakes in the middle of the park, which is why Leopards were dominating.

“We absorbed the pressure and went slowly to them. When they followed us, they were opening the way for us to score. We are now in fourth position,” Notsi says.