Leopards humiliate Stars

Marks Munyai of Black Leopards (closest to camera) and David Mthombeni of Stars fight to win the ball.

Leopards humiliate Stars

Not only did Black Leopards collect three important league points, but they also humiliated Sivutsa Stars 6-1 in their NFD League match at the Giyani Stadium last Saturday.

It took Lidoda Duvha only five minutes to open their account. Their overlapping right back, Marks Munyai, beat the keeper with a volley. The home side continued to push forward and increased the tally two minutes later. Sanele Mkhize, who scored a hat trick in the game, was on target after beating an offside trap.

The Rustenburg-based referee, Mr Khululekani Thusi, flashed the first yellow card in the 14th minute. Harry Skhosana of Stars tackled Edgar Manaka illegally and the referee was quick to produce a card. Leopards were three goals up when the referee blew the half-time whistle. Sanele Mkhize scored his second goal in the 34th minute after a counter-attack.

Realizing their keeper, Solly Dlamini, was responsible for two of the three goals they had conceded, Stars replaced him with Joel Nkumane early in the last half. Stars’ consolation goal came in the 54th minute when Jeremiah Nhlapo connected Eric Ntsoeng’s square pass.

Leopards replaced Jabulani Ndebele with Bafana Sibeko in a bid to beef up their left flank. Sanele Mkhize completed his brace with a close-range ground cutter. Realizing that victory was almost certain, Leopards replaced Sanele Mkhize with Rendani Ndou. Ndou formed a deadly combination with David Zulu at the forefront. David Zulu, the league’s top goal scorer, beat the keeper after a mix-up within the danger area.

Leopards used their last substitution chance by introducing Karabo Tsepe for Leonard Ntshangase in the 76th minute. Edgar Manaka scored the sixth goal seven minutes before the final whistle.

Dunga Munganga of Black Leopards controls the ball after winning it from David Maseko of Stars.

Marks Munyai of Leopards (left) controls the ball, while Freddy Dlamini of Stars blocks the way.

Rendani “Jethro” Ndou of Leopards kicks the ball.

The chairman of Black Leopards, Mr David Thidiela, congratulates the team’s coach, Mr Kostadin Papic, after the game.

Date:20 March 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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