Black Leopards booked a place in the last-32 stage of the prestigious Nedbank Cup Competition by beating Witbank Spurs 3-1 in their preliminary-round match at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Wednesday afternoon.
As if they were going to bury the home side alive, Spurs approached the game aggressively, with their strikers pushing forward in search of early goals. The visitors from the coal city were awarded a free kick just outside the box in the 18th minute. Harry Sibanyoni headed home after a volley by David Skhosana.
The Leopards' front runner, Maboke Matlakala, sustained a head injury in the 29th minute. He was replaced with Irvin Mahangwahaya.
Leopards could have scored in the 34th minute. Their overlapping midfielder, Morgan Shivambu, headed home after a corner kick. The goal was disallowed on the basis that Shivambu had handled the ball before scoring. Shivambu was warned with a card for that.
Realizing that their left winger, Thomas Madimba, was looking tired in the last half, the home side sacrificed him for Lebohang Mabotja in the 54th minute. Mabotja combined well with Irvin Mahangwahaya and Leonard Ntshangase at the forefront. A corner kick that was taken by Ntshangase in the 59th minute gave rise to the Leopards' opening goal. Meshack Maphangule hooked the ball in from inside the box.
Lebohang Mabotja dribbled past three defenders and dished the ball to Mahangwahaya, who beat the keeper with a ground cutter to make it 2-1 in the 68th minute.
Steven Dlamini and Humphrey Khoza both of Spurs were cautioned with cards for dangerous tackles in the 69th and 74th minute respectively. Leopards effected the last change to their starting line-up by replacing Meshack Maphangule with Phathutshedzo Nange. Witbank Spurs lost hope after Leopards scored the third through Ntshangase in the 84th minute.