Absa Premiership Wrap: Black Leopards get much-needed win

by Bertin Basson

Sunday Aug 16, 2020. 20:31

Black Leopards returned to Absa Premiership action on Sunday with a much-needed win over Maritzburg United at FNB Stadium.

Lidoda Duvha beat their more fancied opponents 3-2 at the FIFA World Cup final venue to move up to 23 points and within striking distance of those ahead of them on the log standings. The Limpopo club remain rooted to the foot of the table, but now level on points with Polokwane City and just a point behind both Baroka FC and AmaZulu.

Leopards raced into a two-goal lead through goals from last season’s top goalscorer Mwape Musonda and midfielder Lifa Hlongwane.

Maritzburg were the form team before lockdown and levelled matters before the break following a rare goal from Keagan Buchanan and a powerful strike from Mxolisi Kunene, but the hosts would claim all three points thanks to a second-half goal from youngster Tiklas Thutlwa.

As a result, the Team of Choice missed out on the chance to go level on points with Orlando Pirates in third, and instead remained in sixth spot.

In the day’s other game, SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic played out a 1-1 draw at Bidvest Stadium.

Mzwanele Mahashe opened the scoring for Siwelele before a sweet free-kick from Teboho Mokoena earned Matsatsantsa a point.

The result leaves the two clubs in fourth and 11th place on the log standings respectively.