Black Leopards progressed to the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup after they shocked Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 at the FNB Stadium last night.
Goals from Morgan Shivambu in the 20th minute and Roggert Nyundu in added time were enough to see the NFD side through to the last eight of Ke Yona Cup.
Chiefs appeared to be frustrated by Leopards’ defence in the first half, while José Marques’ charges sauntered through to the second stanza with a 1-0 lead.
Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter was sent off after he had made his views known to referee Daniel Bennett that he didn’t approve of his decision to allow play to continue, after his player, Mandla Masango was, appeared to have been fouled inside the box in the 40th minute.
Baxter walked away from the sidelines frustrated while his assistant, Doctor Khumalo, tried to plead his case with the referee with no success as Bennett was not willing to budge.
Leopards’ opener came in the 20th minute following a failed clearance from Amakhosi’s defence after a corner. Morgan Shivambu made perfect use of the opportunity inside the box to beat Amakhosi goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse who was out his line.
Chiefs had their chances but Lidoda Duvha were equal to the task.
Leopards defended heroically, thwarting every chance Amakhosi created.
David Zulu could have given the Glamour Boys an early lead in the 16th minute when Matthew Rusike’s pass found him unmarked outside the box. Amakhosi’s new recruit, however, lacked composure as his shot screamed over the crossbar.
Amakhosi were presented with another chance to even matters five minutes after they had conceded when they were awarded a set piece outside the box. But George Maluleka’s long range effort failed to trouble Leopards ’keeper Avhashoni Tshinuna as he pulled off a comfortable save.
Both sides showed aggression going forward in the second half but it was Leopards who had the upper hand at the end of full time.
Amakhosi’s equaliser came in the 75th minute when substitute Siphiwe Tshabalala’s cross was headed home by Zimbabwean international Willard Katsande.
But Lidoda Duvha did not lose heart as they continued to work out ways to outplay Amakhosi’s defence.
Roggert Nyundu scored a late winner for the Limpopo outfit, beating Pieterse in stoppage time. – The Sunday Independent