Black Leopards let Stars off the hook

As if they had collected the maximum points, it was all joy for both the players and technical staff of Free State Stars at the end of their Absa Premiership League game against Black Leopards, when they played to a 1-1 draw at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.

Lidoda Duvha were firing on all cylinders at the beginning of the match. They threatened to score twice in quick succession within the first 10 minutes of the game. Lesedi Kapinga, the former Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila striker, was unfortunate in the eighth minute. He received a beautiful pass from Eden Nene and dribbled past two defenders before unleashing a half volley. Ali Sangare, Stars’ keeper, braved the shot and palmed the ball away for a corner kick.

Lifa Hlongwane, Leopards’ sharpshooter, watched in disbelief as his half volley went a little wide moments later.

Leopards took the lead in the 30^th minute. Eden Nene beat the keeper with a header, following a corner kick by Lesedi Kapinga. The home side enjoyed the lead when the referee, Mr Khuleni Thusi, blew the half time whistle. The Stars introduced Linda Bhengu for Judas Moseamedi three minutes into the last half. Leopards used all their substitution chances. They replaced Lesedi Kapinga, Themba Ndlovu and Joseph Mhlongo with Tumelo Khutjang, Ivan Mahangwahaya and Karabo Tshepe respectively.

The Stars found the equalizer in the 68^th minute when Linda Bhengu tried his luck with a half volley. The Leopards’ keeper watched helplessly as the ball went beyond his reach.    

Date:01 November 2018

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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