Oh, so cruel!

Football  proved once more to be a cruel sport when Black Leopards, who dominated the whole game, suffered a 0-1 defeat at the hands of United FC in their National First Division League match at the Giyani Stadium on Saturday.

As if they were going to bury the visitors alive, Lidoda Duvha invaded United’s territory from the first whistle, but their strikers, David Zulu and Rendani Ndou, were both unlucky.

It was in the 11th minute that the home side missed their first fortune. Leonard Ntshangase unleashed a volley from outside the box. The keeper of United, Xolani Ngcobo, reacted like a well-oiled machine to execute a brilliant save. David Zulu could not believe his eyes moments thereafter. His close-range ground cutter went inches wide.

Realizing that Black Leopards were all over them, the visitors abandoned their positions and packed themselves at the far back and relied on counter-attacks. It worked for them as they managed to score the all-important goal in the 24th minute. Their captain, Edward Williams, headed home after a corner kick that was taken by Sibusiso Masina.

United nearly increased the margin in the 28th minute. They were awarded a penalty after the Leopards’ keeper, Jacob Mokhasi, kicked Thabo Gouwe inside the box. Edward Williams caused an upset by shooting wide.

Rendani Ndou was brought down within the box three minutes before the half-time whistle and the Grahamstown-born referee, Mr Lwandile Mfiki, awarded a penalty to Leopards. David Zulu shot straight to the keeper, who palmed the ball away for a corner kick. Ndou sustained an injury during the incident and he was replaced with Siphamandla Sangweni.

The Leopards centre back, Moses Ramodumo, was taken off the pitch on a stretcher with a knee injury. He was replaced with Karabo Tsepe. The keeper of United was saved numerous sure goals in the last 20 minutes of the game.

Date:17 April 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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