Black Leopards strengthened their promotional playoff chances by walloping Super Eagles 3-0 in their National First Division League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Sunday.
Lidoda Duvha deserved to win, but they had to wait for the second half to score the three goals. The visitors from Bethlehem in the Free State looked hopeless from the first whistle.
Leopards missed their first obvious chance five minutes into the game. Their bulldozer striker, Mwape Musonda, received a neat pass from Phathutshedzo Nange and unleashed aimlessly from the edge of the box. Thabang Matjeni of Super Eagles was reprimanded with a card, following a bad tackle on Karabo Tshepe in the 24th minute.
The Eagles effected the first change towards the end of the first half. They replaced Godfrey Abrahams with Mlungisi Nkosi. Leopards took the lead in the 50th minute. Mwape Musonda beat the keeper with a ground cutter, following a neat pass from Phathutshedzo Nange.
Leopards solidified their striking force by introducing Joseph Mhlongo for Karabo Tshepe in the 55th minute. He formed a deadly combination with Mwape Musonda and Meshack Maphangule at the forefront. Leopards introduced Donald Makgetlwa for Khuliso Mudau soon thereafter.
Leopards increased the margin in the 67th minute. Thembisani Nevhulamba, who came on for Mwape Musonda, scored with a ground cutter, following a neat pass from Joseph Mhlongo. Leopards were knocking on the visitors' door repeatedly in the last 20 minutes of the game.
Mhlongo scored the third late in the game to bring the final score to 3-0.