Kaizer Chiefs suffered a 2-1 defeat on the road at the hands of Black Leopards in a DSTV Premiership match on Wednesday.

Kaizer Chiefs took the lead in their DStv Premiership clash against Black Leopards in Thohoyandou on Wednesday afternoon through Leonardo Castro in the 10th minute when he netted his 9th goal in all competitions this season. A brace from Tiklas Thutlwa who scored in the 43rd minute and 64th minute earned Leopards the victory.

The action began with Thutlwa dragging a shot from just outside the 18-yard area in the 9th minute wide of Bruce Bvuma’s goal. After that Chiefs restarted with Daniel Cardoso launching the ball long down the left, which Castro managed to flick onto Lazalous Kambole. He managed to run down the wing before sending the ball over, where he picked out Happy Mashiane, whose initial shot at goal was blocked by Jonas Mendes. While Leopards defenders relaxed thinking the danger had been averted, the ball came rolling out and Castro came running in and slotted it home despite Edwin Gyimah trying to stop the ball on the line. The Colombian scored his 6th league goal of the campaign to put Chiefs ahead.

Three minutes after Chiefs took the lead, Leopards were desperately trying to find their way back into the game. Bvuma managed to save a close range shot from Tumelo Khutlang. The Chiefs keeper got the ball under control at the second time of asking after initially not holding onto the ball.

Leopards who were playing for their top- flight lives were not able to get the ball into telling areas, but they did manage to conjure up a good chance in the 39th minute. A good run and cross from Tsheamo Mashoene down the left saw Sanele Mathenjwe in the Chiefs 18-yard area lunge himself at the ball, which seemed to hang up for him as he met it with a powerful diving header. He was unable to direct his header and it went flying over Bvuma’s goal.

Leopards did find an equaliser in the 43rd minute when Thutlwa knocked the ball home from close range after he connected with a cross from the left. He was in a clear offside position when the ball reached him, but the match officials allowed the goal to stand.

The first half ended 1-1.

Six minutes after the restart Cardoso launched an attack up the left flank playing the ball up to Philani Zulu who touched into the path of Mashiane. He in turn raced down the left flank and turned the ball towards goal. He was able to find Castro, who managed to steer the ball with a slight touch towards goal, but the effort lacked power and Mendes managed to make a routine stop.

Shortly thereafter. Chiefs attacked down the other flank and Kambole was hacked down by Gyimah, which somehow only earned the Ghanaian a yellow card and Chiefs a free kick Nkosingiphile Ngcobo took the free-kick by curling the ball in and It hit the side of Gyimah who was under pressure from Castro and went past Mendes. The home side were rescued by the left-hand post as the ball came crashing off the woodwork.

In the 64th minute Leopards went in front. A good team build-up saw Tebogo Makobela turn in a cross from the right-hand by-line, which was met by Thutlwa, who met the ball neatly with his head and past Bvuma to make it 2-1 to the hosts.

Chiefs had two chances to grab an equaliser towards the end of the game. Castro went close as he tried to lob Mendes but was unable to get the ball over the Leopards keeper. inside referee’s added time at the end of the game, Sabelo Radebe showed some good skill as he did well to bring the ball under control with his back to goal turned and shot for goal. It took a full-length one-handed diving save from Mendes to deny the debutant from earning Chiefs a point.

The game ended 2-1 in favour of Black Leopards.

Soka25east.com