Black Leopards fight back to hold Kaizer Chiefs

by Austin Ditlhobolo

Saturday Apr 13, 2019. 17:11

Black Leopards drew 1-1 with Kaizer Chiefs in an Absa Premiership match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday.

As a result, Lidoda Duvha and Amakhosi remained 12th, and seventh respectively on the league table.

The visitors fired the first warning through their talisman Bernard Parker just eight minutes into the encounter.

The experienced striker's glancing header was well-saved by Leopards goalkeeper King Ndlovu.

However, Ndlovu was beaten by Madagascar international Andriamirado Andrianarimanana, who is also known as Dax.

Andrianarimanana netted with a deflected shot to make it 1-0 to Chiefs in the 10th minute with the midfielder scoring his first goal for Amakhosi.

However, the lead only lasted for 12 minutes as the Lidoda Duvha levelled matters through former Jomo Cosmos attacker Lefa Hlongwane.

The 25-year-old player scored with a beautiful header from Marks Munyai's free-kick to make it 1-1 for Leopards much to the delight of the home crowd.

Chiefs pushed for another goal with the half-time break approaching, but the likes of Khama Billiat could not find the back of the net.

The score was 1-1 at the interval following a lively first-half.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp decided to pull out Reeve Frosler and he introduced goal-scoring wing-back Philani Zulu after the restart.

However, Amakhosi were struggling to create chances for their forwards, Parker and Billiat with the Lidoda Duvha defence looking solid.

Middendorp's counter-part, Dylan Kerr introduced attack-minded player Lesedi Kapinga as the hosts searched for their second goal.

Leopards and Chiefs launched late attacks in search of a late winning goal, but it never came.

Ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 draw as the two teams shared the spoils on the day.

Leopards (1) 1 (Hlongwane 22')
Chiefs (1) 1 (Andrianarimanana 10')

Leopards: Ndlovu, Munganga, Munyai, Zulu, Katjiukua, Bereng (Kapinga 77'), Masalesa, Hlongwane, Mudau (Mhlongo 64'), Tshepe (Sekotlong 90'), Musonda.
Chiefs: Akpeyi, Mphahlele, Cardoso, Gordinho, Booysen, Frosler (Zulu 60'), Katsande, Andrianarimanana, Mahlasela (Moon 75'), Parker, Billiat.