Black Leopards surprised the cup specialists, Kaizer Chiefs, and beat them 2-1 in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup Competition at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
Both sides played attacking football in the first half, making the match entertaining to watch. Leopards had their first regret in the seventh minute. Leonard Ntshangase missed a golden chance when he shot wide.
Realizing that they were heavily marked, Leopards decided to use their flanks to split the opposition defence. In the 20th minute, Lidoda Duvha broke the deadlock. Their right winger, Morgan Shivambu, blasted in a rocket from inside the box.
After Leopards' goal, a heated argument ensued between the match officials and Chiefs' coach, Mr Stuart Baxter. Baxter was given his marching orders for using vulgar words towards the match officials.
Leopard's keeper, Avhashoni Tshinuna, became the darling of the local supporters when he saved a shot from Mandla Masango. The wheel of fortune turned against Leopards in the 78th minute. Their defenders failed to stop a corner kick by Bafana Bafana-star Simphiwe Tshabalala and Willard Katsande equalised with marvellous header.
Chiefs went on the defence and the speedy striker of Leopards, Leonard Ntshangase, beat all the defenders and passed the ball to Roggert Nyundu, who didn't waste any time to score easily in the dying minutes.