Kaizer Chiefs stunned by PSL strugglers Black Leopards

Premiership strugglers Black Leopards put in a stunning effort to hold Premiership log-leaders Kaizer Chiefs to a 1-1 draw at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite the result, Kaizer Chiefs remain well clear at the top of the log – 10 points clear of second-placed Mamelodi Sundowns.

Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp will nonetheless be concerned after a sluggish performance against Leopards who lifted themselves out of the danger zone based on superior goal difference thanks to the shock outcome.

Both of the goals were scored the first half with Samir Nurković putting Kaizer Chiefs ahead in 11th minute before Mogakolodi Ngele brought Black Leopards level just after the half-hour mark.

Kaizer Chiefs strike early but then switch off

Chiefs dominated early doors and deservedly claimed the lead in the opening stages of the clash. Lebogang Manyama’s corner kick found Nurković unmarked and the striker netted his 10th league goal of the season with a glancing header. The Serbian’s brilliance has been a big factor in Amakhosi’s resurgence this season.

Leopards settled into the game after the goal though and they began exerting pressure on the Chiefs goal, before finally claiming their equaliser in the 32nd minute. A foul on the edge of the Chiefs penalty area allowed Mogakolodi Ngele to step up and fire home a brilliantly taken effort directly from a free-kick to level matters.

Leopards would go on to test Kaizer Chiefs goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi on several occassions through the rest of the first half, but at the interval, the teams deadlocked at one goal apiece. 

The hosts suffered a hammer blow late in the first period when they were forced to haul Ngele due to injury and bring on Joseph Mhlongo to replace him.

Chiefs pulled defender Yagan Sasman off at the break and replaced him with midfielder Kearyn Baccus in an attempt to assert dominance in the midfield.

The visitors were able to turn the tide to some degree but they struggled to create any clear-cut scoring chances of their own, target-men Nurković and Leonardo Castro weren’t given the kind of service they might have hoped for and never really threatened in a tepid second half.

Both sides made attacking changes in the final quarter of the match. Chiefs brought on Dumisani Zuma and Leopards introduced Lesedi Kapinga, but neither player was able to provide a spark to inspire a late goal.

Chiefs’ Manyama went close in stoppage time after playing a neat a one-two on the edge of the box but saw his effort deflected just wide of the Leopards goal.