Leopards, Wits cup game rained out

The Nedbank Cup last 16 clash between Black Leopards and Bidvest Wits had to be called off yesterday after torrential rain left the pitch at the Thohoyandou Stadium unplayable.

The referee stopped the game just before half time, as pools of water formed on the pitch surface. Leopards had the most reason to field aggrieved, as the home side were leading 1-0 when the game was abandoned.

According to NSL rules, the game will now start again from scratch, with the Premier Soccer League set to announce a new date today.

Both sides had rung the changes for this knockout fixture, with Gavin Hunt giving a chance to Ricardo Goss in goal, while young forward Molahleli Khunyedi made his debut.

For Leopards, both Thokozani Sekotlong and Ricardo Ngambi got their first starts, after the January signings had made their previous two appearances from the bench.

Wits threatened first, with Khunyedi slicing a good chance wide, but that was about as good as it got for the Clever Boys as Lidoda Duvha adjusted better when the rain began to come pouring down.

Thivhavhudzi Ndou got his head to Lesedi Kapinga’s cross in the 36th minute, with Goss plunging to his right to make a fine save. And Kapinga gave Leopards the lead just a minute later, drilling a low shot past Goss from the edge of the area.

The rain, however, got heavier and heavier and the referee had no option but to call off the game during the half time break, with the Thohoyandou Stadium resembling a swimming pool more than a football pitch.