Leopards clip Eagle wings
BLACK Leopards ascended to the fourth position in the log after beating Royal Eagles 2-1 in their National First Division match played at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
THOHOYANDOU – BLACK Leopards ascended to the fourth position in the log after beating Royal Eagles 2-1 in their National First Division match played at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
Eagles were the first to hit the target in the 24th minute through a penalty after Leopards defender Jean Muganga rough-tackled Sean Ledwaba in the box, and the referee didn’t hesitate to point it out on the spot.
Walter Maponyane took a classy penalty and put it behind the net to make it 1-0.
Leopards organised themselves and continued playing as a team until their striker, Samuel Tefu equalised in the 26th minute after receiving a dedicated pass from Leonard Ntshangase who dribbled Eagles defenders.
It was a draw of 1-1 when the first half was over.
Lidoda Duvha came back strongly in the second half looking for another goal but Eagles keeper, Lifa Hlongwane made several brilliant saves denying them the chance to increase the tally.
Leopards striker Ruggert Nyundu and Ntshangase tried their best as they were cheered by a large crowd of supporters but their shots were flicked over the goal post by keeper Hlongwane.
Leopards scored the winning goal with a volley in the 86th minute through their lethal striker, Ruggert Nyundu, after a lack of concentration by the Eagles defenders.
It was 2-1 with Leopards in the lead when the referee blew the end whistle.
Eagles head coach, Thami Ngubane said his boys played well and were punished due to lack of concentration in the back.
“We are going back to the drawing board to rectify our mistakes, which were basically at the back,” Ngubane said.
Leopards Coach, Zeca Marques said his boys showed character and didn’t lose focus. “My aim is to win the league,” Marques said.
