Diski Leopards disappoint again

After losing their first two league matches, the Multichoice Black Leopards failed to impress their home crowd again. This time around, they played to a 3-3 draw with Stellenbosch FC at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday morning.

What annoyed the Leopards’ fans the most was the fact that their team was leading 3-1 until the last 10 minutes of the game.

Leopards were unstoppable in the first 20 minutes. They opened their account after only four minutes. Their slender striker, Selby Rapatsa, was on target with a half volley, following a defensive error by Nell Riyaaz.

The visitors from the Mother City gained momentum with time. They retaliated five minutes before half time. Jamie Craak beat the keeper after a square pass by Kyle Matthews, to bring the half-time score to 1-1.

Eleazar February of Stellenbosch was the first player to go into the referee’s book. He tackled Anele Mkhize from behind and the referee was lenient enough not to let him see red. The young Leopards reclaimed the lead in the 54^th minute. Selby Rapatsa completed his brace when he beat the offside trap and blasted in a rocket from inside the box.

The visitors lost shape in the middle of the park after the Leopards’ second goal. Leopards capitalized to score their third goal. Tiklas Thutlwa forced his way through the opposition defence and unleashed a half volley from the edge of the box.

Stellenbosch did not lose hope, even though time was fast running out for them. Their diminutive striker, Standazo Maqalaza, was brought down within the box, prompting the referee to award a penalty. Safwan Hendricks made no mistake from the white spot. Their third goal came via Emeraan Rayners, three minutes before the final whistle.

Date:29 August 2019

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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