RODGERS SAVES FREE STATE STARS
Free State Stars held Black Leopards to a 2-2 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the Goble Park Stadium on Saturday evening.
The draw saw Ea Lla Koto remain 15th on the league standings, while Lidoda Duvha climbed up to 12th place.
The match got off to a lively start as the two teams searched for an early goal in the first 20 minutes of the encounter.
Stars striker Eleazar Rodgers missed a glorious opportunity before Leopards attacker Joseph Mhlongo’s effort was saved by goalkeeper Badra Sangare.
The hosts then came close to scoring in the when Harris Tchilimbou headed just over the crossbar eight minutes before the half-hour mark.
Ea Lla Koto did break the deadlock when Leopards midfielder Thivhavhudzi Ndou scored an own goal to make it 1-0 to Leopards in the 40th minute.
Stars were leading 1-0 at halftime following a lively first-half.
Lidoda Duvha were the better side in the opening stages of the second-half and they managed to restore parity six minutes after the restart.
Mwape Musonda netted his ninth league goal of the season to make it 1-1 for Leopards, with Marks Munyai grabbing an assist.
Stars coach Nikola Kazavovic responded by making a double substitution – introducing Makhehlene Makhaula and Sifiso Mbhele just before the hour-mark.
Dylan Kerr’s charges continued to attack after restoring parity and they took the lead for the first time through Elton Kapinga.
The second-half substitute, who had replaced Phathutshedzo Nange, beat Sangare to make it 2-1 to Leopards with 12 minutes left on clock.
However, Rodgers had other ideas as the experienced striker scored in the 88th minute to ensure that Stars held Leopards to a 2-2 draw.
Stars (1) 2 (Ndou 40′, Rodgers 88′)
Leopards (0) 2 (Musonda 51′, Kapinga 78′)
TEAMS:
Free State Stars: Sangare, Mobbie, Mathumo, Mahamutsa, Jappie (Kizza 69′), Hlubi (Mbhele 58′), Masehe (Makhaula 58′), Mokhoane, Tchilimbou, Jantjie, Rodgers.
Black Leopards: Ndlovu, Munganga, Ndou, Zulu, Munyai, Ngambi (Bereng 46′), Maselesa, Nange (Kapinga 75′), Hlongwane, Mhlongo (Tshepe 46′), Musonda.
