Only one point in home match

Nathi Mlhanga of United (closest to camera) and Dunga Munganga of Leopards chase the ball.

Only one point in home match

The fans of Black Leopards left the Thohoyandou Stadium with sore hearts after their home team played to a 1-1 draw with rookies Garankuwa United in their NFD League match on Saturday.

Just like in their previous two league matches, Black Leopards squandered countless scoring chances in the game. As if they were going to bury the visitors from Pretoria alive, Black Leopards took the game to United from the onset, with their midfielders distributing some dangerous passes to the strikers.

Lidoda Duvha were forced to effect an early change to their starting line-up in the 14th minute. Their centre forward, Sanele Mkize, was taken off the pitch on a stretcher after sustaining an injury. He was replaced with Maboke Matlakala.

Matlakala caused an upset three minutes after his introduction. He received a pre-cooked pass from Morgan Shivambu and fumbled at the goal finish, with the United keeper already beaten. Leonard Ntshangase, Leopards’ dribbling wizard, missed a sitter in the 26th minute.

Later in the match, he received a beautiful pass from Jabulani Ndebele and beat the United’s keeper, Mwenya Chibwe, with a ground cutter. Matlakala was also replaced, in the 64th minute. He sustained a leg injury and was replaced with Abbas Amidu. Amidu formed a deadly combination with Leonard Ntshangase and Valley Tshabangu at the forefront, but it was difficult for them to find their way through United’s rock-solid defence.

United found the equalizer in the 78th minute through Conrad Madolo. He blasted in a rocket from close range, giving Leopards’ keeper, Jacob Mokhasi, no chance. Leopards continued to display entertaining football for the remaining part of the game, but they could not find the net for a second time.

Sphamandla Sithole of Leopards (left) and Sipho Zwane of United chase the ball.

The keeper of Leopard, Jacob Mokhasi, holds on to the ball, while Thulani Khwinana of United jumps over him.

Date:19 September 2014

By: Frank Mavhungu

Frank is a Human Resources Manager at the Department of Public Works in Limpopo. He is the longest serving correspondent of the Mirror, having joined us at the end of 1990. He mainly writes sports reports and resides at Tsianda Village. In 2004, Frank won the National Castle League Award, an award for the best reporter in the SAB league in South Africa.

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