Africa-Press – Eswatini. THE country’s Total Energies CAF Confederation Cup envoys Royal Leopard were forced use an alternative entrance into Mbombela Stadium on Sunday night as protesters blocked the facility’s main entrance. Leopard were dismantled 6-2 by Orlando Pirates for their second defeat in as many matches in Group B.
Even after game, the South African Police Service had to mastermind an escape plan as protesters stayed for the duration of the match in anticipation of the police side’s bus and coach Edwin Matsebula is a concerned man.
In his post-match interview, Matsebula said that psychologically the off the field stunts were seemingly getting into the heads of his stars and that professional help was a necessity. “Psychologically the players are affected by the off the field things, not knowing what will happen when we leave the hotel and in the stadium.
I will engage the services of a psychologist to work on the players’ minds,” Matsebula said.
Despite taking a 2-0 lead inside the opening eight minutes of the match through defensive midfielder Mzwandile Mabelesa and lanky forward Thabiso Mokeonkoane, somehow Leopard softened their grip on the match to finally go down 6-2.
The Soweto giants worked their way back into the game from the 19 minute when Ayanda Dlamini tapped home from close range a Goodman Mosele low cross. Pirates were back level in the 38th minute through Bandile Shandu after the Leopard defence went to sleep.
Moments earlier, Lungelo Tsabedze had forced a daring save from Siyabonga Mpontshane on the opposite end with a volley. Pirates took the lead for the first time in the match at the stroke of half time through a Kwane Peprah header from a Deon Hotto cross on the left. With Leopard stars’ heads down, from here it was always going to be one-way traffic.
The visitors did not put the foot off the pedal and added a fourth in the 54th minute through captain Happy Jele’s header from a free kick. In the hour mark, it was five, with Dlamini completing his brace having turned and tossed Sikhumbuzo Magagula to beat Phephisani Msibi with a left footer inside the big box.
Second half substitute Terrence Dzvukamanja added the icing on the cake with Pirates sixth of the match after 81 minutes. Matsebula noted that his side committed silly mistakes in all the goals conceded on the night.
“Defensively we started well but somehow we crumbled. Pirates are a good team and they showed today with their pressing game. Our downfall was in central defence where we lacked mobility to deal with their (Pirates) fluidity hence I introduced the younger centre back,” he said.
Leopard remain without a point and are rooted at the bottom of Group B as they turn focus to their rescheduled game 1 game against Al Ittihad of Libya at this very same venue on Sunday.
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