Swallows fly over Leopards

After collecting full points in their opening promotional play-off match against Jomo Cosmos, whom they beat 2-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Sunday, Black Leopards lost 0-2 to Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

Black Leopards committed suicide by playing defensive football throughout the first half. The absence of Ruggert Nyundu, the Leopards leading goal scorer, was evident from the start. Nyundu was serving his suspension after accumulating four yellow cards in previous matches.

Moroka Swallows, or the “Beautiful Birds” as they are affectionately called, threatened to score in the 14th minute. Their veteran striker, Siyabonga Nomvete, caused an upset when he unleashed aimlessly from the edge of the penalty box.

Realizing that their right back, Jonathan King, was out of touch, the Leopards’ coach, Mr Zeca Marques, replaced him with Jean Munganga in the 27th minute. The move was not good enough to stop Swallows from scoring their opening goal. Vuyisile Wana, who scored a brace, was on target in the 34th minute. He received a neat pass from Siyabonga Nomvete and made no mistake.

The second half saw the Thohoyandou outfit take the game to Swallows. That prompted Swallows to abandon their positions and pack themselves at the far back. Their keeper, Said Stevens, was warned with a card for wasting time. Leopards effected two more changes to their starting lineup when they introduced Meshack Maphangule and Phathutshedzo Nange for Maboke Matlakala and Thomas Madimba respectively.

Swallows increased the margin in the 80th minute. Vuyisile Wana blasted in a rocket, following a great pass from Dikgang Mabalane.

Black Leopards dropped one step down on the log following the poor result. They are now lying in the second spot on the log. Lidoda duvha’s third match will be against Jomo Cosmos at the Vaal University Stadium next Wednesday evening.

The Leopards' killer striker, Ruggert Nyundu, will be available for selection for the game after serving his one-match suspension.The game is scheduled to start at 19:30.

Date:22 May 2015

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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