Leopards end Usuthu’s run

AMAZULU’S three-match winning streak in the league came to an end when they were beaten 3-1 by Black Leopards at the Thohoyandou Stadium yesterday .

All the goals came in the second half, with Lifa Hlongwane and Tshwarelo Bereng giving the hosts a 2-0 lead before Bongi Ntuli pulled one back for the Durban side, only for Mwape Musonda to add a third goal for Leopards soon after.

Amazulu started well and were to enjoy the best chances early on as some good play by Emiliano Tade created openings for Tapelo Nyongo and Ovidy Karuru, but both players skyed their shots over the bar.

Leopards goalkeeper King Ndlovu had to be at his best in the 20th minute to tip over a stinging volley from Butholezwe Ncube.

Despite the heat, the match continued at a high tempo, and there was soon work to do for both goalkeepers as Ndlovu kept out Tade before Mbatha saved an effort from Pentjie Zulu.

Zulu was, however, to turn goal provider, when his pin-point cross in the 60th minute picked out Hlongwane, whose first time shot was perfectly placed into the bottom corner.

The hosts grew in confidence and their lead was doubled 18 minutes later when Mudau cut the ball back for Bereng, who smashed a first-time effort into the top corner of the net.

It nearly got worse for a somewhat shell-shocked Amazulu three minutes later when Leopards substitute Lesedi Kapinga’s effort shaved the upright.

Instead, the KZN side gave themselves hope of a comeback when Ncube’s 83rd minute cross was cleverly flicked into the net by Ntuli.

The Limpopo side however quickly shut the door on Amazulu by scoring a third time just a minute later, after Musonda beat the off-side trap and then fired in a clinical finish from a very tight angle in the 88th minute.

The victory, a first for new coach Dylan Kerr, moves Leopards up to 12th spot. | ANA