The three players of Black Leopards who were seriously affected by teargas last Saturday evening are in a good state of health and ready for the match ahead. The incident took place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban, where Lidoda Duvha were playing against Lamontville Golden Arrows.
The referee had to abandon the game when it was only six minutes old, due to teargas which was used near the stadium. According to reports, the police were dealing with incidents of violence in the vicinity of the stadium when they started to fire teargas. Three Lidoda Duvha players, goalkeeper Postnet Omony, Tiyani Mabunda and Siphiwe Mkhonza, were the hardest hit. According to Leopards' general manager, Mr Sam Khaphathe, the three were taken to the nearby hospital, from where they were discharged the following day.
In an interview with Khaphathe earlier this week, he revealed that all the players were fine and ready for their match this coming weekend. Leopards will play against the Zimbabwean side, Motor Action, at the Rufaro Stadium in Harare tomorrow afternoon. The two teams drew 1-1 in their first-round match for the African Championship at the Peter Mokaba Stadium two weeks ago.
It was also indicated that the match between Leopards and Golden Arrows will be replayed at the King Zwelithini Stadium next Wednesday, 7 March.
Leopards will be without their key defender, Humphrey Khoza, when they meet Motor Action tomorrow. Khoza was given his marching orders in the game against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane last Wednesday evening.