Leopards ease relegation fears

BLACK Leopards snapped a seven-match winless run with a 2-1 win over visiting Stellenbosch FC in their PSL match at Thohoyandou Stadium yesterday.

Just when it seemed like the match was headed for a draw, Leopards grabbed the matchwinner four minutes from the end. The win will help ease Leopards’ relegation fears for the time being.

Stellenbosch came into the match full of confidence after winning their last three matches and they might have continued in that vein, but they failed to grab their chances. Stellenbosch remain in 11th place on the league standings.

There were half-chances in the opening three minutes for either team after a lively start to the match.

Just after a 23rd-minute water break, Leopards were awarded a freekick on the edge of the Stellenbosch penalty area. Mogakolodi Ngele struck the ball straight at the wall and the ball ricocheted off Iqraam Rayners’ knee and onto his hand. Referee Eugene

Mdluli had no hesitation in awarding a penalty which Zambian Musonda Mwape blasted into the roof of the net to give Leopards a 1-0 lead.

Just after the hour mark, Stellenbosch managed to pin Leopards down in and around their penalty area. Instead of a direct approach, Stellenbosch always opted for an extra pass when a shot on goal was called for. As a result, they came away empty-handed.

Eventually, the pressure took its toll in the 78th minute when Ryan Moon side-footed the ball into the net after a rebound fell at his feet (1-1).

Leopards responded with slick inter-passing which Stellenbosch battled to contain. A move in the 84th minute was rounded off by Thabo Matlaba, who let rip with a scorcher through a crowded goalmouth and it left diving Stellenbosch keeper LeeRaoul Langeveldt high and dry (2-1).

In the final minute of injury time, Stellenbosch struck the woodwork from a free-kick on the fringe of Leopards’ penalty area. |