Phakaaathi.co.za Leopards ‘are in the hunt’
MULAUDZI: IT AUGURS WELL FOR US
Club determined to reel in high-flying Highlands Park.
Black Leopards general manager Elijah Mulaudzi has revealed the team have turned a new page and are looking to join the chase for a playoff position in the National First Division (NFD). Lidoda Duvha’s day finally came when the team stunned University of Pretoria 4-0 at Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The team had been in the news for all the wrong reasons during the festive season break as former coach Ivan Minnaert opened a case of assault against Mulaudzi and another Leopards official, accusing them of having run him over with a car.
Mulaudzi could not be drawn to comment on the matter – he said it was now under police investigation and commenting on it would be unethical.
Mulaudzi was, however, thrilled that off-the-field issues had not affected the players. Mwape Musonda scored a hattrick while Xolani Ndlovu also scored in the 4-0 humiliation of Shaun Bartlett’s side.
“We are on the right track now. We could have scored more than the four goals but we are happy. The team did really well and it augurs well for us going forward. We had to be realistic about our situation and made the necessary changes to ensure we can join the race in the second half of the season,” said Mulaudzi yesterday.
They have again brought in former player and assistant coach Joel Masutha. He will be assisted by Morgan Shivambu who will be a player-coach.
“Masutha knows this team very well. He understands the culture and the players better than anyone and that is why we went back to him. We hope he will build on the win and help us chase Highlands Park,” said Mulaudzi.
Like Baroka FC and Thanda Royal Zulu in previous seasons, Highlands Park seem to be hellbent on ending the title race earlier than imagined as they con- tinue their unbelievable winning streak. The Lions of the North have not lost a match since August 23 and have opened a five-point gap at the top. In the last 12 matches, Highlands have won nine and drawn three.
Ubuntu Cape Town also registered their first win at home when they beat Witbank Spurs 2-1. The team however remain bottom of the standings with 13 points off 16 matches.
Ubuntu coach Casey Prince said the win was long overdue: “This was a game we needed to win and we did just that. We did well to score the second goal but we were also silly to concede afterwards.”