Mamelodi Sundowns finished the 2023/24 Premiership season as the leading scorers in the league for the fourth year in a row – and seventh time in the last nine campaigns – but frustratingly failed to break their own record.

The Brazilians netted 52 goals, the same number as in 2022/23, but were short of their best mark of 56 in 2021/22.

In a season where they broke so many other records, they had looked on course to smash that one too but managed only five goals in their final six Premiership fixtures to fall short of their own top mark.

Up to that point they had averaged a touch under two goals per game, and had they continued with that scoring rate would have finished with 59.

Finishing as top scorers in the Premiership has historically been no guarantee of the title, although this has become more of a trend in recent campaigns, spearheaded by the freescoring Brazilians.

In only 13 of the 28 seasons since the formation of the Premier Soccer League in 1996/97 has the league’s top scoring team finished the campaign at the summit of the table.

In fact, no club had been both champions and top of the goals tally in the PSL until Kaizer Chiefs managed it in 2004/05, and they have subsequently been followed by Mamelodi Sundowns (nine times) and SuperSport United (twice).

In 2012/13, champions Kaizer Chiefs and runners-up Platinum Stars scored the same number of goals as AmaKhosi achieved the feat for the second time, even though it was in a shared capacity.

Chiefs managed the most goals ever in a Premiership campaign when they scored 73 in the 1998/99 season, but still only managed a second-place finish, ironically finishing behind Sundowns on goal-difference. That was over a 34-game campaign.

Chiefs and Sundowns had held the record for the most goals since the league was reduced to 30 games per season with AmaKhosi netting 55 times in 2004/05, thanks largely to the 25 goals from Zambian hitman Collins Mbesuma, and Sundowns the same tally in the 2015/16 season.

But that was eclipsed by the 56 goals Sundowns scored in 2021/22, a mark they had seemed set to smash for the past two seasons until some late season wobbles.

Other teams less likely to finish as leading scorers were Manning Rangers (58 in 34 games) in 1997/98, the year after they had been crowned champions, Gavin Hunt’s Black Leopards (58 in 34) who finished in eighth, Ajax Cape Town (44 in 30) in 2007/08, the ‘lowest top scorers’ in a 30-game season, Moroka Swallows (48 in 30) in 2011/12 as they were runners-up and Cape Town City (47 in 30) in 2017/18 under Benni McCarthy.

1996/97: KAIZER CHIEFS – 54
1997/98: MANNING RANGERS – 58
1998/99: KAIZER CHIEFS – 73
1999/00: ORLANDO PIRATES – 72
2000/01: ORLANDO PIRATES – 60
2001/02: BLACK LEOPARDS – 58
2002/03: SUPERSPORT UNITED – 54
2003/04: SUPERSPORT UNITED – 48
2004/05: KAIZER CHIEFS – 55
2005/06: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 45
2006/07: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 45
2007/08: AJAX CAPE TOWN – 44
2008/09: SUPERSPORT UNITED – 45
2009/10: SUPERSPORT UNITED – 51
2010/11: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 52
2011/12: MOROKA SWALLOWS – 48
2012/13: KAIZER CHIEFS, PLATINUM STARS – 48
2013/14: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 51
2014/15: ORLANDO PIRATES – 46
2015/16: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 55
2016/17: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 52
2017/18: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 49
2018/19: CAPE TOWN CITY – 47
2019/20: KAIZER CHIEFS – 48
2020/21: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 49
2021/22: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 56
2022/23: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 52
2023/24: MAMELODI SUNDOWNS – 52

The post Sharp Shooters appeared first on SportsClub.

Here is a list of the clubs that have tasted glory in the competition.

ARCADIA SHEPHERDS
Title wins (1): 1982
Arcadia were the very first champions of the competition 41 years ago as they beat Highlands Park 2-0 in a replay after the original final finished 1-1. Vincent Julius and Gerald Julius scored in either half for the Pretoria club.

DURBAN BUSH BUCKS
Title wins (1): 1987
Bush Bucks had a stunning upset of Orlando Pirates in the final, which was played over two legs but still needed a replay in a third game. Pirates won the first match 3-1 in Durban before Bush Bucks stunned their hosts with a 2-0 success in Orlando. The game went to a third clash and Bush Bucks triumphed 2-1. They had lost the final to Kaizer Chiefs in 1984.

DYNAMOS
Title wins (1): 1991
The now-defunct Dynamos defeated Giant Blackpool 2-1 in a replay of the 1991 final after the first game finished 2-2. Marks Maponyane was on the scoresheet for Dynamos, while a certain John ‘Shoes’ Moshoeu netted for Blackpool.

AMAZULU
Title wins (1): 1992
AmaZulu’s only success came in 1992, which was also the last time they lifted a trophy of any sort. They stunned much more fancied Kaizer Chiefs 3-1 in the final. The AmaKhosi were the best team in the country by a long shot in those days, so it was a major cup upset. This is also the only time Usuthu have reached the final of this competition.

QWAQWA STARS
Title wins (1): 1994
Later to be known as Free State Stars, the club had the moniker of QwaQwa Stars when they lifted the trophy back in 1994, beating Hellenic 3-2 in the final. Bunene Ngaduane scored a brace and Meshack Tsotetsi netted in the first minute of extra-time to seal victory for the team.

ORLANDO PIRATES
Title wins (1): 2011
Pirates have been cursed in this competition, reaching nine finals in the past but registering just a single victory in the decider. That came in 2011 when they beat BidVest Wits 3-1 to finally lift the trophy after so much heartache. Eight final losses out of nine is a horrendous record for the proud Soweto club.

BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC
Title wins (1): 2012
Celtic stunned Mamelodi Sundowns with a 1-0 win in the 2012 decider as Botswana international Joel Mogorosi scored the only goal, though there was some dispute about whether the ball crossed the line. This was the game that saw the sacking of Dutch coach Johan Neeskens and heralded the start of the Pitso Mosimane era at Chloorkop.

SUPERSPORT UNITED
Title wins (1): 2014
SuperSport have been to four finals but only won one, which was a thrilling 3-2 success against Platinum Stars in one of the best cup deciders ever seen in South African football. Matsatsantsa lost in the finals in 2004, 2005 and 2016.

CAPE TOWN CITY
Title wins (1): 2016
City had only been in existence a matter of months when they lifted the trophy, beating SuperSport United 2-1 in the final. That was achieved under current coach Eric Tinkler, who moved to SuperSport at the end of the season but has since returned to Cape Town.

BAROKA FC
Title wins (1): 2018
Baroka claimed an almighty scalp when they defeated Orlando Pirates on penalties to lift the trophy in 2018. The game finished 2-2 after extra-time and it was the Limpopo club – now in the second tier – who held their nerve in the shoot-out.

UMTATA BUSH BUCKS
Title wins (2): 1993, 1996
The Eastern Cape side lifted the trophy twice in four seasons during their heyday in the early 1990s. They defeated Santos in the 1993 final before a 1-0 victory over QwaQwa Stars four years later in a replay of the final after the first game finished 1-1. William Mugeyi got the only goal of the second match.

AJAX CAPE TOWN
Title wins (2): 2000, 2008
Now known as Cape Town Spurs, the club still had their relationship with Ajax Amsterdam when they lifted the trophy on two occasions. They stunned Orlando Pirates 4-1 in a replay of the 2000 final after the first game finished 1-1. And they defeated The Buccaneers again in 2008, this time by a 2-1 margin as Mabhuti Khenyeza netted a brace inside 16 minutes. Ajax also lost finals in 2006 and 2009.

JOMO COSMOS
Title wins (2): 2002, 2005
Cosmos were champions twice in four years as they edged Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the decider in 2002, having been spanked 5-0 in the final the year before by the same opponents. They followed that up with a penalty shoot-out win over SuperSport United in 2005 after the teams had played to a 1-1 draw.

PLATINUM STARS
Title wins (2): 2006, 2013
The club were known as Silver Stars when they lifted the trophy for the first time, beating Ajax Cape Town 3-1 in the final as Simba Marumo scored a hattrick. They repeated that feat seven years later with a shock 2-1 win over Pirates, which came months after they had also lifted the MTN8. Stars made the final in 2003 (lost to Kaizer Chiefs) and 2013 (lost to SuperSport United).

BIDVEST WITS
Title wins (3): 1985, 1995, 2017
The club was simply Wits University when they won their first two titles, beating Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in a replay after the first two legs of the final finished 2-2 on aggregate. A decade later they repeated the feat with a 1-0 win over Orlando Pirates, but they had to wait 22 years for their next triumph as they claimed a 1-0 success over Bloemfontein Celtic in 2017.

MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Title wins (4): 1990, 1999, 2015, 2019
Sundowns have reached eight finals in the past but have a 50% win record with four triumphs. Their first was a 2-1 aggregate win over Orlando Pirates in 1990 before they defeated Free State Stars 2-0 in 1999. It was a while before their next win in 2015 when they outclassed Kaizer Chiefs to win 3-1, and then claimed a 2-1 success over Maritzburg United in 2019, the last time the competition was held. To that end, they are technically the current holders.

KAIZER CHIEFS
Title wins (13): 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2010
Far and away the most successful side in the history of the competition with 13 victories, most than three times as many as the next best, though they last triumph came all the way back in 2010. Much of their good work was done early on as they claimed five of the first eight competitions played, and claimed two more in the 1990s before a burst of six more titles between 2001 and 2010. How they would dearly love to win again this season having not lifted a trophy of any sort since 2015, the longest barren spell in the club’s history.

The post Past winners of the Carling Knockout appeared first on SportsClub.

1992
AMAZULU 3-1 KAIZER CHIEFS
After extra-time
One of the most famous days in AmaZulu’s history as they took on the much more fancied Kaizer Chiefs in the final of the Coca-Cola Cup and returned home with a comprehensive win, which is incidentally also the last time they lifted a trophy! Chiefs would end up league champions this season and had a superb team packed with stars such as Doctor Khumalo, Tovey, Lucas Radebe, Fani Madida and Ace Khuse. But it was Usuthu, who had a poor league campaign and ended 15th, who scored through their star striker George Dearnaley, Ephraim Mwale and Simon Magagula. Johannes Phadime had equalised for Chiefs before Usuthu completed their famous win.

1994
QWAQWA STARS 3-2 HELLENIC
After extra-time
A five-goal thriller that ended in victory for QwaQwa Stars, who would later go on to change their name to Free State Stars and become a fixture in the South African topflight until their relegation in 2019. This would be their first major trophy win as Bunene Ngaduane scored a brace and Meshack Tsotetsi netted in the first minute of extra-time to seal victory for the team. Hellenic were denied the trophy but scored goals through David Peterson and Gerald Stober.

1998
KAIZER CHIEFS 2-2 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
After extra-time; Chiefs won 2-1 on penalties
A game for the ages between the top two teams of the era with the drama of a penalty shoot-out as Chiefs finally won 2-1 via Pollen Ndlanya’s kick in sudden death. Chiefs were ahead in the game after just a minute as Thabo Mooki scored, but Sundowns equalised on 75 minutes when Joel Masilela blasted past Brian Baloyi in the Chiefs goal. Alex Bapela put The Brazilians ahead in extra-time, but Siyabonga Nomvethe sent the game to penalties after he collected Neil Tovey’s long ball to make it 2-2.

2000
AJAX CAPE TOWN 4-12 ORLANDO PIRATES
The first match between the two finished 1-1, but instead of going to penalties, there was a replay of the final and it was a young, brash Ajax side who triumphed against the odds. They took an early lead through Brett Evans before further goals from Carlo Scott (two) and Jeremy Jansen sealed the unlikely triumph for a club who had only been formed a year earlier.

2001
KAIZER CHIEFS 5-0 JOMO COSMOS
For eight years this was the biggest winning margin ever in a South African cup final as Chiefs overwhelmed Jomo Cosmos before Lamontville Golden Arrows took that mantle with their 6-0 thrashing of Ajax Cape Town in the 2009 MTN8 decider. Chiefs were simply too good for Ezenkosi as they took the lead in the first half through current assistant coach Arthur Zwane. Cosmos hung in there until the final 20 minutes, when the AmaKhosi ran riot as Kenny Niemach added a second, Jabu Pule (now Mahlangu) got two more and Stanton Fredericks put the cherry on top with a fifth.

2006
SILVER STARS 3-1 AJAX CAPE TOWN
Silver Stars would later become more popularly known as Platinum Stars but sealed a first major trophy win in fine style as they beat Ajax 3-1 in this decider thanks to a hattrick from their star forward Simba Marumo. It remains the only hat trick scored in the final of this competition and led the side from the North West to a deserved victory. Serge Bageta got a late consolation for Ajax.

2010
KAIZER CHIEFS 3-0 ORLANDO PIRATES
Chiefs were defending champions when they won back-to-back titles in 2010, thumping their arch-rivals Pirates in fine style. Striker Sthembiso Ngcobo scored in either half before winger Siphiwe Tshabalala added a third in front of a 90,000 crowd at FNB Stadium. It is always magical to win a trophy, but to do so by beating your local rivals is truly special.

2012
BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC 1-0 MAMELODI SUNDOWNS
Now defunct Celtic won only their third major trophy with a famous win over Sundowns, a match that proved to be the last in charge of The Brazilians for temperamental Dutch coach Johan Neeskens. The only goal was a controversial one as the whole ball did not appear to cross the line after Joel Mogorosi’s header. Goalkeeper Patrick Tignyemb was in inspired form for Siwelele, saving brilliantly from Teko Modise and Anthony Laffor as Celtic held on.

2014
SUPERSPORT UNITED 3-2 PLATINUM STARS
After extra-time
One of the best cup finals in any competition in South African history for drama, this game had everything and was a thrill-a-minute from start to finish. Stars took the lead through Robert Ng’ambi as he fired past Ronwen Williams in the SuperSport goal, but Clayton Daniels drew Matsatsantsa level with a penalty 10 minutes before the break. The game went to extra-time and SuperSport went ahead with a second penalty from Daniels. Stars, who were defending champions, equalised via a thumping Mogakolodi Ngele volley from the edge of the area, before Williams saved a penalty from Eleazar Rodgers. That might have won it for Stars, but SuperSport went up the other end and got the winner via former Dikwena stalwart Thuso Phala.

2018
BAROKA FC 2-2 ORLANDO PIRATES
After extra-time; Baroka won 3-2 on penalties
Pirates were heavy favourites going into this contest and expected to brush Baroka FC aside, but led by former Kaizer Chiefs player Wedson Nyirenda, the Limpopo club pulled off a major shock to lift their first and, to date only, trophy. The Buccaneers were not helped by a straight red card for midfielder Marshall Munetsi before halftime, and Jemondre Dickens opened the scoring for Baroka. Musa Nyatama drew Pirates level when he scored from close range, which took the game to extra-time. Mduduzi Mdantsane, now at Chiefs, netted a penalty to restore the Baroka lead before Thembinkosi Lorch equalised for Pirates to send the game to penalties.

The post Ten great Carling Knockout Cup finals appeared first on SportsClub.

The 21-year-old is currently plying his trade in Denmark after securing a move to Aarhus GF from the Citizens in September 2019.

However, Links’ development at the club stalled after the coronavirus pandemic caused the suspension of football on a global scale.

The Bafana Bafana wing explained that the Danish government has slowly lifted Covid-19 restrictions and the Superliga clubs have since resumed training.

‘Everything is opening up slowly … restaurants and coffee shops they will be opening,’ Links told the South African Football Journalists Association (Safja).

‘So, yeah, and regarding football. It’s good because we started training as a team last week. We have been training for a week now, together. And, yeah, we are in good shape.’

The former Pyramids FC winger is hoping to move to a bigger club in Europe after establishing himself in the Superliga with Aarhus GF.

‘You know, there’s one thing about football I can say like, now OK, I want to settle and all this stuff,’ he continued.

‘But next season then I have an amazing season, you know, having a good, good season, then offers come.

‘Then they say Gift, maybe some teams from France or Bundesliga or anywhere around top leagues, and they say, Gift, they want you.

‘I can’t say no, if my club is going to say OK, we accept … they accept the offer. You know what I’m saying?

‘You know, and I know I’m only 21 but I’ve played for many teams … this is my fourth professional team. So, hopefully, in Denmark, I will stay a bit longer, maybe two, three, four years, then we’ll see what happens after that.’

The post Links eyes move to Bundesliga or Ligue 1 appeared first on SportsClub.

The PSL transfer deadline was on 31 August at 11:59pm.

There weren’t any groundbreaking moves made on the final day, besides defending Absa Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns who unveiled the signing of former Young PSL Footballer of the Year Phakamani Mahlambi for a reported fee of R13-million.

Watch: Furman reveals Bafana regret

Welcome to the home of Champions!#WelcomePhakamani pic.twitter.com/KLSt1OtlYt

— Mamelodi Sundowns FC (@Masandawana) August 31, 2018

ALSO READ: Zungu, Zwane withdrawn from Bafana squad

1) Travis Graham

The one-club man ended a 16-year stay with Ajax Cape Town after parting ways with the club a few months ago. Having been club captain at age 21, Graham boasts leadership skills beyond his years while also being a workhorse in the engine room.

ALSO READ: Can Billiat, Manyama lead Chiefs to PSL title?

2) Ayanda Gcaba

The no-nonsense defender has struggled to find a new home following his six-year stay with Orlando Pirates, which brought him a wealth of success. The centre back was last on the books of Platinum Stars (now Cape Umoya United) before they were relegated to the National First Division. The 32-year-old is said to have been on trial at Black Leopards and Highlands Park, with both newcomers opting against signing him.

ALSO READ: Baxter threatens to report Strasbourg over Mothiba

3) Tshepo Gumede

Gumede is still on the lookout for a new team after being deemed surplus to requirements at Cape Town City in June. Only 27 years old, the ball-playing centre back still has loads to offer despite his somewhat dramatic decline.

4) Mandla Masango

The former Kaizer Chiefs wing and SuperSport United loanee has almost completely fallen off the football radar after a turbulent spell in Denmark with Randers.

The wing impressed in his debut season with Randers and apparently sought greener pastures in his sophomore year in Denmark as he looked to force a move. His career subsequently took a nosedive, with Masango enduring a miserable six-month loan spell with SuperSport United.

He was last linked with a move to Cape Town City, but reportedly snubbed the offer with his wage demands reportedly being too high.

5) Tefu Mashamaite

Mashamaite has never been able to replicate the heights that he reached with Chiefs when he formed that formidable partnership with Eric Mathoho in the heart of the defence to guide Chiefs to the league title under Stuart Baxter in the 2012-13 campaign.

The former Footballer of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season and PSL Defender of the Season is now clubless after failing to make the grade at Swedish outfit BK Hacken as well as SuperSport United.

The post Five players who could add PSL value appeared first on SportsClub.

Benni McCarthy’s side have already bolstered their squad with the acquisitions of Ivorian defender Kouassi Kouadja and former Orlando Pirates winger Riyaad Norodien.

ALSO READ: Joining Pirates is a possibility – Zungu

Kouassi Kouadja 💪

He’s not in the business of blending in…he’s here to stand out! #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/DKIRqv96CU

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 27, 2018

The Citizens took to their official twitter account to publicise details of Links’ arrival.

Roses are red, violets are blue. Gift Links is a Cape Town City player. Goodnight.

🎁

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 5, 2018

The 19-year-old is no stranger to the PSL, having been on the books of now National First Division outfit Platinum Stars for the 2016-17 season, before completing a move to Egypt, where he played in the same league as Bafana Bafana starlet Phakamani Mahlambi.

ALSO READ: Jali set for biggest challenge of career

A new 🇿🇦 star is born. Welcome to Cape Town City, Gift Links! #iamCityFC#FutureIsNow pic.twitter.com/nM0Jio24Wx

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 5, 2018

City reportedly beat defending league champions Mamelodi Sundowns to the signing of the 19-year-old, who earned rave reviews for his performances in the Cosafa Cup with South Africa.

ALSO READ: Jali should have stayed, Tau must leave – Zungu

Cape Town City is delighted to announce the acquisition of 19y South African international, Gift Links! The attacking midfielder signs a 5 year deal, joining City for a club record fee from Egyptian Premier League outfit Pyramids FC. #iamCityFC #FutureIsNow pic.twitter.com/FUteQwro0t

— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) July 5, 2018

ALSO READ: Jali owes Pirates fans an explanation – Mngomeni

The post Cape Town City confirm Links signing appeared first on SportsClub.

The Fifa Player Status Committee will now make the final ruling on the matter involving Tendai Ndoro and their relegation to the National First Division after Judge Denise Fisher ruled in favour of the Urban Warriors.

Following the ruling, the points awarded to Platinum Stars‚ SuperSport United and Polokwane City have been restored to Ajax, which subsequently moves them back into 15th place in the league standings, with Platinum Stars returning to 16th, while AmaZulu move back into eighth place.

‘We have obviously just received the ruling now, so they have time to see what is the next step,’ said the Urban Warriors’ communications manager Shooz Mekuto. ‘It is not up to us, it is up to the league because they are the one who has actually lost their case. We have won our case in appealing the decision and asked for that decision of Adv Mokhari’s award to be set aside,’ Mekuto told SoccerLaduma.

‘We officially should be off the list of being relegated and back in to No 15, so we are not the ones who are going to come up with the next step, if the league needs to, they could appeal the decision which we don’t know yet but as Ajax we will have to wait for the league to respond to the ruling.’

The post Ajax restored to PSL after judge’s ruling appeared first on SportsClub.

The news comes after a turbulent first six months of 2018. First, there was a change of ownership at the North West outfit at the start of the year.

The side was then relegated after finishing 16th in the Absa Premiership. Dikwena were, however, given a lifeline when the Ajax Cape Town-Tendai Ndoro saga saw the Urban Warriors docked points, dropped down to 16th, and Stars subsequently took their place in the promotion/relegation playoffs.

READ: Komphela named as new Celtic coach

Roger Da Sa’s team were, however, unsuccessful in the playoffs, with Black Leopards taking their spot in the Absa Premiership, and Platinum Stars dropped into the National First Division.

It has now got even worse for the fans of Dikwena with Mochadibane confirming that the club will relocate to the Western Cape, while the club’s name has also been changed.

READ MORE: How much longer can Khune save Chiefs?

‘Yes, it’s true that the club is relocating to the Western Cape and the name of the club will change to Cape Umoya United FC.

‘The club is still in the process of negotiations with players and staff over contracts. We will know by next week who will be relocating to the Western Cape, and who will be beginning the harsh journey of job hunting,’ Mochadibane said.

READ MORE: Pirates confirm Van Heerden exit

The post Platinum Stars move to Western Cape, change name appeared first on SportsClub.

The Urban Warriors were docked seven points from the Absa Premiership matches in which they illegally fielded striker Ndoro. The decision saw Ajax lose their 15th-placed position in the season-ending league standings and were thus automatically relegated, with Platinum Stars taking their place in the promotion/relegation playoffs.

Ajax attempted to halt the playoffs with a court interdict. They, however, had that case rejected and will now again turn to the courts in an attempt to get their position reinstated and have the playoffs replayed.

Efstathiou has explained the club’s thinking in continuing their court battle, insisting the Cape side have a strong case in the fight to maintain their spot.

‘The court application has two legs to it,’ Efstathiou told KickOff.com. ‘The one leg was to halt the playoffs the same day, which the judge didn’t grant us, and the second thing we asked was for the arbitrator William Mokhari’s SC ruling to be reviewed, and that part will be heard on the 14 and 15 June in the High Court.

‘I think we have a strong case, and we wouldn’t be fighting it if we didn’t think we had an opportunity or good chance [of winning]. We still believe that we’ve acted correctly and are in our rights to keep our position in 15th.’

Efstathiou admitted that it has been a difficult period for Ajax, who are simply doing what any other club would do if placed in the same situation.

‘For any club, it would be difficult, but I think we’re acting in a way that any other club would act,’ he said. ‘You need to protect your rights if you believe you are right, and protect the position we’re entitled to have to be in the playoffs, and that’s what we’re doing, nothing less,’ he concluded.

The post Ajax CEO: We have strong case in Ndoro saga appeared first on SportsClub.

Dikwena came out with more intent and saw more possession of the ball in the opening exchanges of the game.

Letsie Koapeng nearly broke the deadlock when he unleashed a strike at goal, but his effort sailed over the target.

Dino Visser came to his side’s rescue minutes later when he produced a fine save to keep out the visitors’ only attempt at goal.

Stars eventually took the lead after 23 minutes when Koapeng fired his effort into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

The visitors looked dangerous in attack, but were finding it hard to break down Dikwena’s defence.

However, Stars managed to take a one-goal lead over Leopards as the match went into the half-time interval.

Leopards came out guns blazing in the second half and levelled matters in spectacular fashion when Mwape Musonda found the back of the net with a superb bicycle kick.

Following the goal, the visitors started gaining momentum, playing in the Dikwena half while testing the Stars shot-stopper on numerous occasions.

Dikwena were then dealt a major blow when Nyik Tshabangu received his marching orders for his second bookable offence in the match.

The home side made the first change of the game when they brought Bongi Ntuli on to replace Gerald Phiri.

Leopards goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka came to his side’s rescue when he made a great save to keep out Koapeng’s headed effort.

Koapeng then made it 2-1 when he gave Dikwena the lead in the 84th minute.

Leopards levelled matters for the second time in the game three minutes later when Musonda scored his second goal of the match.

Neither side were able to find the winning goal in the closing stages of the game as the match ended 2-2 at the Moruleng Stadium.

The post Leopards hold 10-man Stars at Moruleng Stadium appeared first on SportsClub.