Posted in News on May 18, 2008.
ABSA Premiership
Thohoyandou Stadium, Thohoyandou
18th May 2008
Kick Off: 15h00
Playing conditions: Cloudy becoming partly cloudy, light south easterly wind, temperature at kick off: 18.5 °C
Black Leopards incredible attempt to survive in the Absa Premiership ended in heartache on Sunday, when despite their 1-0 victory over Kaizer Chief, they still finished in 15th position after Thanda Royal Zulu won their match against Jomo Cosmos.
But all is not lost for the Thohoyandou-based side as they now go into the play offs and on current form should be too strong for the teams from the Mvela league.
While the headlines were taken up the dramatic events at the top of the table as Supersport United clinched the Absa Premiership in the final game of the season there was an equal amount of drama and intrigue in the relegation battle.
Going into the final minute of the season, Thanda were 0-0 with Cosmos meaning that one more goal by Leopards would have seen the two teams tied on level points, with the same goal difference but Leopards superior on goals scored.
But the second goal did not come and Thanda confirmed their Absa Premiership status with a penalty goal in injury time.
Leopards dominated the game and deservedly took the lead on the stroke of halftime when David Makgale scored from a Mulondo Sikhwivhilu cross.
It proved an tense and entertaining affair in the second half as news kept on filtering through from the Thanda/Cosmos game but at the final whistle was blown it dawned upon the Leopards player sand staff that their status in Absa Premiership now depends on a successful run in the play offs.
Match details:
Kaizer Chiefs: 32. Khune, 2. Tau, 3. Bhasera, 6. McCarthy, 29. Tsotetsi, 8. Nengomasha, 24. Mathebula, 14. Tshabalala, 18. Zwane, 5. Khenyeza, 17. Bartlett
Coach: Muhsin Ertugral
Assistant Coach: Fani Madida
Goalkeeper Coach: Rainer Dinkelacker
