Absa Premiership
Result: Black Leopards 2-1 Golden Arrows
Date: 30 November 2019
Venue: Thohoyandou Stadium
Luc Eymael got the better of Steve Komphela as Black Leopards rallied from behind to defeat Golden Arrows in the Absa Premiership on Saturday afternoon.
Leopards boss Luc Eymael opted for three changes from their loss to Chippa United, as Andriamirado 'Dax' Andrianarimanana, Joseph Mhlongo and Chris Katjiukua all earned starts.
On the other side, Steve Komphela also made three changes from Arrows' narrow win over Baroka FC, with Danny Phiri and Seth Parusnath returning to boost the side alongside Zolani Nkombela.
The opening exchanges did not yield clear chances, but Abafana Bes'thende had a great opportunity to break the deadlock in the 22nd minute with a free-kick but Phiri's effort was saved by shot-stopper Jonas Mendes.
Komphela's troops were awarded a penalty with six minutes remaining of the first stanza after Parusnath was brought down inside the box. Knox Mutizwa fired the visitors ahead from spot-kick.
Lidoda Duvha were putting in a great fight early in the second stanza and eventually levelled matters with 21 minutes remaining courtesy of Lesedi Kapinga's finish inside the box from a cross.
Arrows were caught disorganised at the back two minutes later as Themba Ndlovu smashed home a volley to give Eymael's charges a 2-1 lead.
Komphela was seemingly desperate for the equaliser with 12 minutes remaining as he made a tactical change, after bringing on attacker Danny Venter in place of defender Gladwin Shitolo.
In the end, Arrows could not find the equaliser and saw their four-game unbeaten run come to end end as Leopards moved four clear of the relegation zone in ninth spot on the log with 15 points.
Here's how they line up:
Leopards: 1. Mendes, 8. Matlaba, 13. Zulu, 33. Katjiukua, 2. Gyimah, 25. Mokoena, 9. Andrianarimanana, 14. Phala, 11. Musonda, 30. Mhlongo, 12. Kapinga
Subs: 32. Muleka, 29. Masia, 15. Bereng, 27. Ngambi, 31. Ndlovu, 19. Mncwango, 20. Ngele.
Arrows 30. Sibanda, 14. S, Dube, 29. Sibisi, 20. Mathiane, 2. Nkombelo, 15. Makhubela, 26. Phiri, 5. Shitolo, 15. Parusnath, 35. Mtshali, 18. Mutizwa.
Subs: 32. N.Gumede, 23. L. Dube, 11. Sibiya, 22. Sibeko, 4. Venter, 3. Buthelezi, 17. Conco.
