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Karabo Tshepe of Leopards hooks the ball, while Vuyo Mere of Stars is on his heels.

Good start for Lidoda Duvha

 

Black Leopards commenced their promotional playoff programme with a bang, when they beat Platinum Stars 1-0 at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

Lidoda Duvha showed Dikwena no respect, as the visitors from Rustenburg could hardly make three moves in the first 15 minutes of the game. The Stars tried to neutralize Leopards with dangerous tackles and the referee, Mr Eugene Mdluli, normalized the situation by flashing two yellow cards in quick succession.

Leopards did not lose their fighting spirit, despite the fact that they were denied what everyone though was a clear penalty. Their overlapping right back, Marks Munyai, was bought down within the box, but the whistle man remained silent as if nothing had happened.

Realizing that it was difficult for them to cope with the tempo of the game, the Stars tried to cool the game down by holding onto the ball for a prolonged time.

Leopards approached the last half aggressively, with their midfielders, Meshack Maphangule and Eden Nene winning every aerial ball.

The goal through which Leopards earned three vital points came in the 50th minute. Phathutshedzo Nange beat the Stars’ keeper, Dino Visser, with a half volley, following a square pass from Joseph Mhlongo.  Leopards replaced Khuliso Mudau, Karabo Tshepe and Meshack Maphangule with Thivhavhudzi Ndou, Ivan Mahangwahaya and Morgan Shivambu respectively.

The Thohoyandou outfit will rest for three days before travelling to Johannesburg on Sunday, where they will play against Jomo Cosmos at the Vosloorus Stadium. Although a draw against Cosmos will do Lidoda Duvha the world’s good, Leopards’ coach, Mr Joel Masutha, is adamant that they will come back with full points on Sunday.

Leopards will rest for five days after Sunday’s match against Cosmos, before travelling to Rustenburg for their return match against Platinum Stars next Saturday, 26 May.    

Sport - Date: 17 May 2018

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Black Leopards’ chairman, Mr David Thidiela, congratulates the goal scorer, Phathutshedzo Nange, after the game.

Joseph Mhlongo of Leopards hooks the ball, while Innocent Mkhabela of Stars pulls him back.

The players of Black Leopards players celebrate their goal.

Meshack Maphangule of Leopards kicks the ball.

 

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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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