Leopards and Ubuntu share the grory

The unexpected happened at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Sunday when Black Leopards played to a 2-2 draw with Ubuntu Cape Town in their NFD League match.

The result was not a true reflection of the game as Lidoda Duvha enjoyed more ball possession for the better part of the game. Realizing that the home side were unstoppable, Ubuntu played defensive football from the onset and relied on counter-attacks.

The wheel of fortune turned against Leopards in the 15^th minute. Ranga Chivaviro, Ubuntu's lethal striker, received a neat pass from Khanya Gwala in the middle of the park and beat the Leopards’ centre back, Jean Munganga, with pace before unleashing a ground cutter. Rotshidzwa Muleka, the Leopards’ keeper, watched helplessly as the ball went beyond his reach.

Ranga Chivaviro of Ubuntu was warned with a card for applying delaying tactics. He held on to the ball for far too long before passing it to Wassen Isaacs.

Leopards found the equalizer six minutes before the teams adjourned for half time. A defender of Ubuntu handled the ball within his own penalty box and the East London-born referee, Mr Khulisande Qongo, awarded a penalty to Leopards. Nwape Musonda scored to bring the half-time score to 1-1.

Leopards strengthened their striking force by introducing Thabelo Mulaudzi for Siyanda Masango in the 54^th minute. The Thohoyandou side took the lead in the 64^th minute. Phathutshedzo Nange was on target with a long-range ground cutter.

The goal prompted the visitors from Cape Town to effect two changes to their starting line-up. They replaced Ranga Chivaviro and Temptation Chiwunga with Tsepo Mosiathaga and Kyle Davids respectively.

Jean Munganga of Black Leopards obstructed Nguye Owethu inside the box and it was a clear penalty for Ubuntu. Mhlengi Sgwibela made no mistake from the white spot. Ubuntu played defensive football for the remaining part of the game.

Date:31 August 2017

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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