Black Leopards failed to impress their home crowed and played to a goalless draw with the logleaders, Baroka FC, in their NFD League match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.
Leopards were the superiors when it came to ball possession, but their strikers seemed to be shy when they approached their opponents' danger area. Leopards' killer striker, Ruggert Nyundu, was the first player to go into the referee's book. He ignored the referee's whistle and kicked the ball away long after the whistle had been blown.
Baroka's leading goal scorer, Thabiso Kutumela, could not live up to the fans' expectations as Dunga Munganga marked him tightly. Leopards threatened to score in the 16th minute, when Themba Mabuyango received a neat pass from Marubini Manyane but fumbled at the goal finish.
Meshack Maphangule, Leopards' midfielder, was a marvel to watch. He was everywhere, distributing promising balls from the middle of the park, while also playing as a full striker. Lidoda Duvha's technical team was forced to replace Marubini Manyane with Khunadi Nkoana early in the second half. He left the pitch on a stretcher after sustaining a knee injury.
Referee Victor Gomes flashed another yellow card in the 57th minute. Theriso Mapheto tackled Ruggert Nyundu from behind and the referee was quick to flash yellow. Baroka effected two changes in the 65th minute. They introduced Loyiso Simandla and Caswell Chauke for Tsepo Matete and Dumisani Ngwenya respectively. Leopards exhausted their substitution chances by binging on Mxolisi Ntshingila and Thembisani Nevhulamba for Bongani Manana and Themba Mabuyango.
Leopards' last scoring chance came in the 84th minute when Ruggert Nyundu faced the keeper and pushed the ball forward to Phathutshedzo Nange, instead of taking the responsibility himself.