BLACK Leopards players might be kicking themselves for missing an avalanche of clear-cut goalscoring chances against Kaizer Chiefs during a Nedbank Cup match at the Peter Mokaba Sports Complex on Sunday, but the club’s head coach, Kostadin Papic believes the loss might have been a blessing in disguise.
After holding Amakhosi on the ropes for the better part of the match, Lidoda Duvha captain, Djunga Munganga miskicked the ball, which allowed Knowledge Musona to pounce in the dying minutes of the extra time to send Kaizer Chiefs into the last 16 minutes with a 1-0 score line.
Papic said he wanted to win the match but believed the loss would help the players concentrate solely on the league.
Lidoda Duvha are three places away from log leaders, Chippa United with only four points separating the two clubs, though the Cape side has a game in hand.
Leopards will focus on using the home ground advantage when they host Vasco da Gama at Makhuvha Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
“We did everything to beat Chiefs, but luck was not on our side. I am happy with the performance and I hope we can continue playing like this. The loss will not dampen our spirits as we have a mission to accomplish and that is to get the club back to the Premier Soccer League where it belongs,” Papic said.
Lidoda Duvha is the highest-scoring team in the National First Division (NFD) with 37 goals off 21 matches; 13 of which were scored by current NFD top goalscorer, David Zulu. Their defence remains a concern after conceding 28 goals so far.
Leopards’ last results at Makhuvha Stadium was a disappointing 2-2 draw against FC Cape Town and they would like to inflict pain on Vasco da Gama who last visit to Limpopo saw them leaving three points due to a 3-0 loss to Baroka FC recently.
