Leopards finally bare their claws
SINK PIRATES TO MOVE OFF FOOT OF THE LOG
Orlando Pirates couldn’t make it two wins in a row as they lost 2-0 to struggling Black Leopards in the DStv Premiership clash at the Thohoyandou Stadium yesterday afternoon.
Bucs had recorded an exceptional 3-0 victory over Tshakuma FC in a midweek league clash, but it wasn’t to be the case at Leopards, as the home side ensured they used their goal-scoring chances.
Lidoda Duvha could have easily taken an early lead, but Ovidy Karuru was slow to capitalise from a huge chance, as Thulani Hlatshwayo came in with a crucial tackle, to clear the danger.
An error by Buccaneers defender Innocent Maela almost saw the left-back heading the ball into his own net while trying to clear the ball.
From the resultant corner, it was Maela again with another blunder, as he attempted to clear, but this time around the ball went into the back of net in the 29th minute, giving the home side a 1-0 lead.
Pirates tried to push forward, but they weren’t getting things right in the Leopards box.
The Limpopo outfit grew in confidence after their opening goal and a brilliant counter attack resulted in their second in the 39th minute, courtesy of Rodrick Kabwe, after Rodney Ramagalela had failed with the initial attempt.
Searching for a reply, Pirates coach Josef Zinnbauer added to his attacking force by introducing Terrence Dzukamanja at the start the second half, pulling off defender Wayde Jooste.
Pirates continued to try and build momentum, with Thembinkosi Lorch initiating attacks
from deep.
But the visitors still found it hard to beat King Ndlovu between the Leopards poles and Leopards’ back four also held solid.
Leopards could have added more goals, but striker Mohammed Annas failed to hit the back of the net from his two scoring
chances in the closing minutes of the match. Pirates remain in fifth position in the standings, with 17 points from 11 matches.
Leopards moved off the bottom of the log, to 14th, with nine points in the bag from the same amount of matches played as yesterday’s opponents, Pirates.