Pretoria – Rodney Ramagalela scored a brace as Black Leopards claimed a 2-1 victory over the University of Pretoria in a Premiership clash at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday afternoon.
Having suffered a heavy 4-0 midweek defeat to Orlando Pirates, Leopards claimed their third victory of the season courtesy of a dramatic injury time penalty, which Ramagalela slotted, after referee Jerome Damon spotted a handball in the Tuks area and pointed to the penalty spot.
The hosts were in with the first opportunity of the match in the eighth minute, after Senegalese striker Mame Niang found Dumisani Ngwenya on the edge of the area, but Ngwenya's shot sailed harmlessly over the bar.
AmaTuks were in with another chance shortly after, when skipper Tebogo Monyai's header from an Aubrey Ngoma free-kick was directed on target, but straight at Leopards goalkeeper Azwindini Maphaha, who made a routine save from the close-range effort.
Monyai had a second opportunity four minutes later, but his headed effort from Ronald Ketjijere's corner missed high and wide of goal.
The hosts continued to dominate the first half, but failed to make their chances count and were punished in the 31st minute, when Leopards scored against the run of play.
A well-worked midfield effort resulted in Rodney Ramagalela rounding off his fifth league goal of the season, after he was put through on goal, broke away from his marker and was left with Tuks keeper Washington Arubi to beat, which he did, handing the visitors the lead.
Leopards were forced to replace Maphaha, after the goalkeeper was injured and could not recover, prompting coach Ian Palmer to bring on Ayanda Mtshali five minutes into the second period.
Mtshali was in the thick of the action shortly after his arrival and was called into action as the hosts attacked through Niang and Bongani Zungu, keeping his side ahead after several vital stops.
Niang came close in the 68th minute, when a pinpoint delivery from second half substitute Ayanda Lubelo found Niang inside the box, but the striker could not direct his headed attempt on target.
The game slowed down towards the end of the half and Tuks looked vulnerable at the back, but equalised with 10 minutes left on the clock through David Radebe, who came off the bench and scored his second of the league campaign.
Lidoda Duvha went ahead for a second time four minutes of additional time remaining, through Ramagalela's late penalty kick. – Sapa