Goal-shy Leopards worry Luscuito

Jean-Pierre Luscuito will have to find an urgent solution to his team’s ineffectiveness in front of goal if he is to realise his dream of guiding Black Leopards to the Absa Premiership.

Lidoda Duvha played good football in front of their fans and pinned Stellenbosch FC back for almost the entire game last Saturday afternoon in a promotion play-off but could not find a goal to show for their efforts.

The Belgian mentor was left disappointed with the result. “I am a little disappointed but I am happy with the way we played. We couldn’t score, but we played beautiful football. They played long balls but we did well to manage that especially against (Mame) Niang,” said Luscuito.

Luscuito knows that they will have to score in tomorrow’s match against provincial rivals Baroka FC.

Unlike Luscuito’s team, Bakgaga are capable of scoring, having put two past Stellenbosch in their first promotion play-off.

But the Belgian will hope that Bakgaga’s defensive frailties have not been mended.

“We will play Baroka in Polokwane and it will be the same as it was here because we have some of our fans that side as well. We will play our normal game and hope to score,” he said.

Stellenbosch keeper Washington Arubi was only too happy to take the point after he had to work hard to keep Lidoda Duvha from scoring.

“It is never easy to come here and collect points. We were playing away from home and Leopards always dominate here. I am happy that we managed to eke out a draw.

“For now we have to focus on our games but we will be interested in the result on Wednesday before our own game on Saturday,” said the Zimbabwean keeper.

Stellenbosch are leading the three-team mini-league with two points but have played a game more than their opponents. The winner of tomorrow’s Limpopo derby will jump to the top of the play-off table and stand a good chance of taking the remaining spot in the Absa Premiership for next season.