Anas double helps Leopards down Arrows
Black Leopards beat 10-man Golden Arrows 2-1 in a 2020-21 DStv Premiership match at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on Tuesday.
Mohammed Anas scored both of Lidoda Duvha's goals, finding the back of the net either side of a Michael Gumede equaliser to move the Limpopo club off bottom spot and three points from safety. Arrows remain fourth on the league standings as a result, eight points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Arrows were dealt an early injury blow with captain Nkosinathi Sibisi forced from the field following a heavy collision with his own goalkeeper.
#DStvPrem - RESULT:
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) February 23, 2021
Arrows 1-2 Leopards
Two goals from Mohammed Anas hand Black Leopards all three points against Golden Arrows. Lidoda Duvha are now just three points away from safety.#Babizebonke pic.twitter.com/R01qY3w9jo
The hosts were clearly unsettled and Tsepo Matsimbi forced Sifiso Mlungwana into a smart save in the 16th minute. The Leopards right-back got himself into a good position in the penalty area before unleashing a powerful attempt at goal from an acute angle, but Mlungwana was well positioned at his near post.
Arrows finally conjured a chance in the 28th minute. Velemseni Ndwandwe backheeled Pule Mmodi's rasping shot on target, but King Ndlovu got done well to make a fine save.
Lidoda Duvha were the better team in the first-half and deservedly opened the scoring four minutes later. Lifa Hlongwane's shot from range cannoned off the woodwork and back into a dangerous area - Anas was the quickest to reach to the rebound and headed home for his first Leopards goal.
Abafana Bes’thende improved after the break and pressure finally paid dividends for the hosts in the 68th minute. The ball fell favourably for Gumede inside the area and the forward's audacious back-heel rolled into the back of the net, as he successfully added to the brace he scored in Stellenbosch earlier this month.
It proved a birthday to forget for Mmodi who received his marching orders in the 73rd minute following a reckless challenge. Just last month, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila's Alfred Ndengane saw red on the day of his 34th birthday.
Leopards made good use of the man advantage as Anas fired home the match winner in the third minute of second-half stoppage-time. The Ghanian found a pocket of space on the edge of the area before curling the ball past Mlungwana in the Arrows goal.
Golden Arrows (0) 1 (Gumede 68')
Black Leopards (1) 2 (Anas 32' 90+3')
Golden Arrows: Mlungwana; Zuke, Sibisi (Shitolo 9'), M.Dube, Nkombelo, Parusnath (Sibiya 46'), L.Dube (Mtshali 46'), Mmodi, Ndwandwe, Mutizwa (Phiri 81'), Gumede (Sabelo 90').
Black Leopards: Ndlovu; Mashoene, Gyimah, Nthatheni, Matsimbi, Abubakar (Karuru 86'), Mthethwa, Khutlang (Thutlwa 77'), Ramagalela, Hlongwane (Makgetlwa 66'), Anas.