Leopards edge Polokwane in Limpopo derby

Cape Town - Black Leopards marked their return to the Premiership with a 1-0 win over Polokwane City in the Limpopo derby played at Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday evening.

Both clubs created a number of good goal scoring chances, but were led down by poor finishing in front of goals as Lidoda Duvha walked away with the three points on their return to the Premiership.

Walter Musona was handed the first opportunity of the match as early as the seventh minute, but could not get the better of Rotshizwa Mulekwa in goals for Leopards.

It did not take long for Leopards to break the deadlock with Karabo Tshepe getting his team ahead from a free kick with a well taken strike inside the penalty box in the 12th minute.

City had a chance to find their way back into the match, but Musona once again squandered a good opportunity from close range to get his side back in the match in the 15th minute.

Leopards were able to hold on to their lead going into the half-time break.

The second half started off on a slow pace as City chased the game in search of the equalizer.

Musona missed yet another opportunity to level matters for Rise and Shine in the 67th minute.

City made several changes in the last quarter of the match in search of an equalizing goal including the introduction of veteran midfielder Jabu Maluleke, who was a surprise omission from the starting line-up.

Leopards came close to increasing their lead through Ivan Mahangwahaya in the dying minutes of the game, but his effort failed to find the back of the net as the hosts held on to their lead to walk away with three important points.