It’s a loss that most football fans never expected as Lamontville Golden Arrows slumped to a 2-1 defeat to struggling Black Leopards at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont, Durban on Tuesday evening.
Mohammed Anas scored a goal in each half to give Lidoda Duvha the three points they needed the most. Michael Gumede netted for Abafana Bes’thende.
And the loss has left Arrows coach Mandla Ncikazi a little bit rattled. This was Abafana Bes’thende’s second loss of the season having been beaten by Cape Town City to end their unbeaten run a few weeks ago.
“Bad, bad result. But again we know how it happened. Losing Sibisi early in the match I think derailed our plans. We struggled with the long balls played to Anas. He was doing well for them. We were rattled. I just think we didn’t recover from Sibisi’s exit. As for the red card I’m not sure what happened,” Ncikazi said.
Arrows suffered a big blow when they were forced to replace Nkosinathi Sibisi less than 10 minutes into the match. Sibisi collided with his teammate and goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana early in the game. He was replaced by Gladwin Shitolo.
As if Sibisi’s early exit was not enough, Abafana Bes’thende were reduced to 10 men when Pule Mmodi was red carded in the 73rd minute.
Meanwhile, Leopards coach Lehlohonolo Seema said that the win was a long time coming for the Limpopo club.
“Energy has been there. We could have kept a clean sheet. Once again, we conceded a soft goal, a back heel. We will take the three points. The players have been working very hard. I’m happy for the guys, they can have a breather now,” Seema said.
