Narrow defeat for Leopards

Kaizer Chiefs beat Black Leopards 1-0 in their Absa Premiership League match at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Wednesday evening.

Lidoda Duvha made their intentions clear from the onset. Their Zambian bulldozer striker, Mwape Musonda, beat the offside trap in the seventh minute and shot straight to the stranded Chiefs keeper, Itumeleng Khune.

Khune denied Phathutshedzo Nange an obvious goal two minutes later. This after Nange received a neat pass from Lesedi Kapinga and unleashed a powerful ground cutter from close range. Philani Zulu of Kaizer Chiefs was reprimanded with a card in the 18^th minute, following an off-the-ball infringement on Lifa Hlungwane.

The Dzimauli-born referee, Mr Philip Tinyani, flashed another yellow card moments later. Leopards’ left back, Chris Katjiukua, tackled Khama Billiat the rough way and Tinyani was quick to produce yellow.

Chiefs took the lead in the 40^th minute. Willard Katsande headed home after a corner kick that was taken by Khama Billiat to bring the half-time score to 1-0.

Leopards replaced Tumelo Khutlang with Karabo Tshepe two minutes into the last half. They threatened to score in the 50^th minute when Tshepe intercepted a back pass and faced the keeper, who braved the shot to execute a brilliant save.

Pentjie Zulu of Leopards was booked for obstructing Khama Billiat and Chiefs introduced Bongolethu Jayiya for Philani Zulu in the 60^th minute. The Thohoyandou side responded by bringing on Joseph Mhlongo for Lifa Hlongwane two minutes later.

Leonardo Castro of Chiefs found himself on the wrong side of the football laws when he tackled Lesedi Kapinga the rough way in the 76^th minute. Leopards used their last substitution chance by introducing Themba Ndlovu for Phathutshedzo Nange in the 80^th minute.

Chiefs played defensive football in the last five minutes of the game in a bid to maintain their lead. Lesedi Kapinga of Leopards was nominated the man of the match.

Date:08 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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