Another victory for Leopards

Ayanda Klaas of Bucks kicks the ball while Bongani Manana of Leopards (right) blocks the way.

Another victory for Leopards

Black Leopards registered their second victory in a row by beating Mthatha Bucks 1-0 in their NFD match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.

The result was not a true reflection of the game as Leopards squandered numerous scoring opportunities before they finally scored a solitary goal late in the game. Leopards’ technical staff blundered by keeping their fast forward, Mziwokuthula Zimu, on the field to the finish while it was clear that from the start that it was not his day.

Zimu caused the first upset in the 14th minute. He chose to shoot aimlessly from close range after receiving a neat pass from Bongani Manana. Realizing that pressure was mounting over time on their defenders, Bucks replaced their left back, Siphiwe Mgandu, with Wandisile Fututwa in the 24th minute.

Mziwokuthula Zimu missed another fortune in the 29th minute. This time around his half volley hit the woodwork and landed outside the field of play for a goal kick. Morgan Shivambu, the Leopards’ goal scorer, watched in disbelief as his ground cutter missed the target by inches on the stroke of half time.

Shivambu was warned with a card three minutes into the last half. He tackled the visitors’ captain, Ayanda Klaas, from behind. The visitors from the Eastern Cape effected another change to their starting 11 in the 59th minute. They introduced Petros Ngebo for Sihle Mbehle. Leopards responded by replacing Themba Mabuyando with Ruggert Nyundu moments thereafter.

The boys were separated from men in the 78th minute when Shivambu blasted in a rocket after a scramble within the box. Leopards strengthened their defence by replacing Shivambu with a defender, Thivhavhudzi Ndou, shortly after the goal. Ndou combined well with Harry Nyirenda, Lebohang Mabotja and Katlego Molomo at the far back.

Shivambu was nominated man of the match after the game.

Ndamulelo Mungadi of Leopards controls the ball.

Brown Khumalo of Bucks prevents Morgan Shivambu of Leopards from reaching the ball.

Ruggert Nyundu of Leopards hooks the ball while Brown Khumalo of Bucks is focused on it.

Leopards' goal scorer and man of the match, Morgan Shivambu.

Date:22 April 2016

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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