Another defeat for Black Leopards

POLOKWANE – A late strike from Katlego Mashego saw Moroka Swallows snatch three important league points at the expense of Black Leopards in their Absa Premiership League encounter at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Tuesday evening. The final score was 1-0.

The goalkeepers, Greg Etafia (Swallows) and Azwinndini “Silver” Maphaha, were the top performers for the better part of the game. They repeatedly made fine saves to frustrate the attackers. Bennet Chenene almost put Swallows ahead as early as the fifth minute, but Maphaha saved his side with acrobatic keeping.

The home side had two clear chances in the 12th and 14th minute. Rodney Ramagalela received a neat pass from Raymond Monama within the box and unleashed a half volley. The shot did not give the Swallows keeper, Greg Etafia, any headache, as there was not enough power behind the ball.  Their Nigerian attacker, Joshua Obaje, committed a similar blunder, following a square pass from Tiyani Mabunda.

With the teams trading attacks on a regular basis, Ramagalela came close to scoring again in the 24th minute, but Etafia denied him a goal with a notable save.

The Leopards’ holding midfielder, Jean Munganga, tried his luck with a long-range strike early in the last half, but the ball missed the target by inches. Lidoda Duvha introduced Abbas Amidu and sacrificed Hector Zulu in the 59th minute. The Birds responded by replacing Dikgang Mabalane with Katlego Mashego three minutes later.

The visitors took the lead in the 84th minute. Bennet Chenene picked out Mashego with a cross from the right, and the striker placed a shot into the bottom corner of the net that even the excellent Maphaha couldn’t keep out.  – LiN News/Limpopo Mirror

Dikgang Mabelane of Moroka Swallows and Thulanini Ntshingila of Black Leopards try to get the ball first. © Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix