Staff Reporter.
Black Leopards have secured a 2-0 win over Orlando Pirates in a PSL match which was played in Thohoyondou stadium this afternoon.
Pirates welcomed back Thulani Hlatshwayo from suspension, with Paseka Mako dropping out of the team altogether while Leopards recalled Wiseman Maluleke, Roderick Kabwe and Tebogo Makobela.
Leopards broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark after lack of communication inside the box from a corner led to Innocent Maela heading the ball into his own net, just moments after his earlier clearance hit the upright.
Lidoda Duvha then doubled their lead five minutes from the break after Kabwe finished off a counter-attack with a low strike past Wayne Sandilands after Ovidy Karuru’s impressive flick in the box. To add insult to injury, Ntsikelelo Nyuaza picked up a knock and was stretchered off, with Happy Jele brought on for the rest of the game.
The Buccaneers struggled to find joy in attack following the closing quarter, as Thembinkosi Lorch, Vincent Pule and Gabadinho Mhango failed to open up Lidoda Duvha.
Thus, a smart attempt through the head from Mhango a little later before a snap-shot from the centre of the area by Terrence Dzvukamanja were the closest the Buccaneers came to a breakthrough.
Mohammed Anas should’ve given the hosts a third from two one-on-ones at the death but Sandilands parried both, however Leopards still claimed victory.
Meanwhile AmaZulu and Maritzburg United played out a goalless draw in a DStv Premiership clash in the KwaZulu-Natal derby.