Posted on November 20, 2011 17:52
Substitute Luyolo Mapholisa scored in injury time to give Black Leopards only their second PSL win of the season as they snatched a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in Durban on Sunday.
The hosts dominated most of the game and the match looked destined for a draw, when a quick counter-attack down the left allowed Khethokwakhe Masuku to unselfishly cross for Mapholisa to finish crisply from inside the box.
Despite the victory, Leopards remain second-bottom, while the hosts will be kicking themselves after failing to take their chances at the Mosese Mabhida Stadium.
The visitors had the first chance early on when Masuku was picked out on the right and he cut the ball back smartly to Mongezi Bobi, whose shot to the near post from the edge of the box forced Tapuwa Kapini to react sharply and turn the ball away for a corner.
At the other end Posnet Omony's early involvement included coming off his line to punch away two corners, while the visiting goalkeeper was a spectator like everyone else with the first shot for AmaZulu from Kagiso Senamela that sailed over.
Joshua Obaje should have done better after an error in the home midfield, but scuffed his shot just before the 15-minute mark as the Tamsanqa Teyise had a decent chance for the Durban team midway through the half after some fine work from Senamela in the build-up, but the defender was crowded out as his shot trickled through to Omony.
Carlington Nyadombo had another opening five minutes before half time, but nodded Teyise's corner straight into the crowd.
Moments later, Thabo Mongalo had the best chance of the first period when Belux Kasonga's clearance fell into his path, with the Lidoda Duvha midfielder forcing Kapini to dive low to his right and scramble the ball away ending a poor first half.
New Leopards boss Vladislav Heric turned to former Bafana Bafana midfielder Benedict Vilakazi, who the club signed on recently, for some inspiration after the interval.
The move seemed to generate more life in the game, with Mongalo coming close after Bobe played him in from the right, although the midfielder's shot was turned away for a corner by Kapini.
Bongani Mbele had a great chance to put his side in front just before the hour mark, but ballooned his effort over - Senamela again the architect with a perfectly-timed cross from the right.
Bobe then forced Kapini to tip over, while Vilakazi collected smartly and shot over, both efforts coming from close-range, as the visitors threatened an opener.
Usuthu substitutes Tangeni Shipahu and Goodman Dlamini wasted excellent chances with 20 minutes remaining as both men shot wide from good positions.
Namibian Shipahu was again in with the clock winding down, but was closed down nicely by Omony, while the Ugandan custodian punched away from Lewis.
And with the game one minute into injury-time, Lewis needlessly conceded possession allowing Leopards to break away and claim the win.