Leopards draw

Chippa United fought to hold Black Leopards to a 2-2 draw in an Absa Premiership match at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday night.

The draw sees the Chilli Boys move to 15th place on the league standings, while Lidoda Duvha go to fourth place on the table.

The match got off to a bright start and it was the visitors who took an early lead after the Chilli Boys defence was exposed just six minutes into the game.

Khuliso Mudau was the man who punished the hosts as the former Magesi FC player beat goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi with a low shot to make it 1-0 to Leopards.

However, Lidoda Duvha’s lead only lasted for four minutes as the Chilli Boys were able to level matters through their long-serving attacker Andile Mbenyane.

The former Ajax Cape Town player scored with a good header to make it 1-1 for Chippa, much to the delight of the home crowd inside the stadium.

Chippa looked dangerous each time they pushed forward, with their new captain Mark Mayambela looking lively down the right-hand side.

The lanky attacking midfielder found space outside the Leopards box in the 25th minute and he unleashed a shot which sailed over the crossbar.

It was end-to-end stuff as the halftime break approached, with both teams looking to score more goals.

Chippa midfielder Kurt Lentjies was sent through on goal, but Leopards defender Jean Munganga made a great tackle to stop him in the 36th minute.

At the other end, Phathutshedzo Nange pulled the trigger from range and the Lidoda Duvha midfielder’s effort flew over the crossbar.

The two teams were locked at 1-1 at the interval following a lively first-half.

The Chippa defence went to sleep again a few minutes into the second-half and they were punished by Tumelo Khutlang.

The Lesotho international scored with a great low finish which beat Nigerian keeper Akpeyi hands down to make it 2-1 to Leopards.

Botswana international Thatayaone Kgamanyane was introduced by Chippa in the 67th minute as the hosts looked to level matters again.

However, Leopards continued to attack and they hit the upright from Marks Munyai’s well-taken free-kick in the 70th minute.

The Chilli Boys pushed for a late equaliser, but they were wasteful in front of goal in the closing stages of the game.

Mayambela was presented with an opportunity to score with 10 minutes left on the clock, but he ballooned his effort over the crossbar.

However, Chippa did grab a late equaliser through super-sub Kgamanyane, who scored with a header in stoppage-time to ensure that the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Chippa United: (1) 2 (Mbenyane 10’, Kgamanyan 90+4′)

Black Leopards (1) 2 (Mudau 6’, Khutlang 53’)

TEAMS:

Chippa United: Akpeyi, Macheke, Modisane, Nthethe, Tlolane, Rakhale, Sangweni, Mayambela, Mbenyane (Kgamanyane 67′), Gamildien (Sali 67′), Lentjies (Klate 77′).

Black Leopards: Afimi, Ndou, Mashoene, Munganga, Munyai, Nange, Mudau (Ndlovu 83′), Nene, Musonda, Tshepe (Mokoena 75′), Khutlang (Hlongwane 86’).