Excellent start for Lidoda Duvha

Leonard Ntshangase of Leopards (behind) and Jabulane Mazibuko of Milano dive in their effort to win the ball.

Excellent start for Lidoda Duvha

Black Leopards started the new season on a high note with a 2-0 victory over Milano United in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

Black Leopards were out of touch for the better part of the first half, but the visitors from Cape Town failed to capitalize on this. Lidoda Duvha were lucky not to concede an own goal during the first 20 minutes. At that stage, Milano were doing as they pleased within the Leopards’ danger area. Lidoda Duvha conceded four corner kicks during the first half.

Leopards’ right back, Marks Munyai, denied Milano a sure goal in the 18th minute. He cleared the ball from the goal line for a corner kick. The only time Black Leopards threatened to score in the first half was when Bongani Manana tried his luck from the 25-meter area. A defender of Milano, Aphiwe Mhlongo, braved the shot and cleared the ball away with a header.

The home side effected a change to their starting lineup in the 29th minute. They introduced Meshack Maphangule for Ndamulelo Mungadi. Leopards’ captain, Leonard Ntshangase, was warned with a card for a late tackle on Coldrin Coetzee three minutes before the half-time whistle.

Leopards strengthened their defence by replacing Kgabo Mashiane with Khunadi Nkoana early in the last half. A defender of Milano, Mzwanele Mahase, handled the ball within his own penalty box and the referee awarded a penalty against his team. Roggert Nyundu converted from the penalty spot. Leopards then used their last substitution by replacing Bongani Manana with Thembisani Nevhulamba.

Khunadi Nkoana of Leopards was also booked for obstruction in the 76th minute. A substitute, Thembisani Nevhulamba, was on target after a neat pass from Leonard Ntshangase two minutes afterwards. Nevhulamba came close to scoring again in the 86th minute, but his shot hit the side netting.

Leonard Ntshangase of Leopards hooks the ball.

Leonard Ntshangase of Leopards (right) and Jabulane Mazibuko of Milano chase the high ball.

Leonard Ntshangase of Leopards controls the high ball, while Coldrin Coetzee of Milano is on his heels.

Date:28 August 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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