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Match - Sat 14 July, 15:00,
| Goals | Goals |
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Play by Play
| live commentary |
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| – South Africa's Black Leopards host Sudanese side Al-Merreikh at Ellis Park in Johannesburg, needing just a single goal to advance to the CAF Confederation Cup group stages. | |
| – Their 3-2 loss in Omdurman a fortnight ago has given them hope for the return leg, especially as Al-Merreikh are notoriously poor travelers, having won just one of their last 17 matches away from home in African club football. | |
| – Leopards looked to be out of the tie at 3-0 down going into the final stages, but late goals from Mongezi Bobe and David Zulu have perhaps even made them favourites in the tie. | |
| – Leopards started really slowly in the game, but were better as the half wore on. They look as though they do have a goal in them, but will have to be wary of the visitors on the break. | |
| – The fairytale ends for Leopards, who created little in this second leg, but can be proud of their performance in this competition this year. Al-Merreikh showed zero ambition in the game, but got the draw they needed to advance. | |
| 1’ – And we are under way at Ellis Park! | |
| 3’ – It is extremely cold in Johannesburg, even by South African winter stages. The players will be glad to get moving. | |
| 5’ – Not much to report early on, both teams have started cautiously. | |
| 7’ – Leopards are wearing a very fetching pink outfit today by the way. Before you snigger, it has become something of a lucky kit for them in this competition! | |
| 8’ – Maake has a dip at goal from 40-yards but it is well wide of the effort. First shot of the day to the home side. | |
| 10’ – Ramagalela is almost put through on goal, but Akram is off his line quickly to clear the danger. Ramagalela has looked lively so far with his pace and strength. | |
| 13’ – First corner of the game to the visitors. They take it short, but Leopards clear the danger. | |
| 16’ – Goal-mouth action at a premium, but Al-Merreikh will be happy with this start which has seen them keep the ball well and not allow the home side any clear-cut chances. | |
| 19’ – Leopards are finding some joy down the right, but the crosses have been poor. So far no scares for the Sudanese. | |
| 22’ – Al-Merreikh seeing more of the ball but they have also not been effective. It has not been a great 22 minutes of football to be honest. | |
| 25’ – It should be remembered that Leopards are essentially in their pre-season, while Al-Merreikh are in the middle of theirs. Leopards look like a team lacking sharpness. | |
| 28’ – Akram collects a cross at the far post with Ramagalela lurking. Better from Leopards. | |
| 30’ – Ramagalela has a shot from the edge of the area that is just wide. Akram had it covered in any event. | |
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30’ – Black Leopards Substitution: David Zulu replaces Davie Banda |
| 31’ – An early sub from Leopards coach Sunday Chidzambwa, bringing on striker Zulu for defensive midfielder Banda. That is a positive move, but looks to have been injury-induced. | |
| 32’ – Osunwa has a stinging drive go just over, while at the other end Maake forces a fine save from Akram. At last things are starting to warm-up! | |
| 34’ – Zulu almost makes an immediate impact, heading wide at the near post. | |
| 37’ – First corner to Leopards, that was good build-up play, but Al-Merreikh were able to scramble clear. The corner is cleared, but better from the home team. | |
| 40’ – Great turn and cross from Zulu, but nobody in a pink shirt read his intentions and the ball floats harmlessly out for a goal-kick. That needed someone coming in at the back post. | |
| 43’ – Good build-up play from Leopards sees Bobe free on the right and his cross is agonisingly out of reach of four pink shirts in the middle. | |
| 45’ – Leopards are finishing the half strongly, they win another corner but it is cleared. | |
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45 + 1’ – The referee brings the first half to an end. |
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46’ – Black Leopards Substitution: Raymond Monama replaces Edgar Manaka |
| 46’ – We are back under way in the second half, with Leopards having made another change at the break. | |
| 48’ – A big second half needed from Leopards, they must test Akram more. It is do-or-die time ... | |
| 50’ – Corners at either end come to nothing. It looks a bit more open in this half though ... | |
| 53’ – Akram collects with Ramagalela closing in. Leopards have noticeably more bodies in the box this half. | |
| 54’ – WHAT A CHANCE. Ramagalela has a free header but directs the ball straight at Akram. Either side of him and that would have been 1-0. Great chance! | |
| 57’ – Maphaha saves at his near post, but gives away a corner. He should have held on to that. | |
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60’ – Al Merreikh Substitution: Remi Marcel Adiko replaces Jonas Sakuwaha |
| 61’ – Under 30 minutes left for Leopards. They are being reduced to shots from range, when they really need to get the ball into the box more. | |
| 64’ – Good build-up play from Al-Merreikh comes to nothing. Leopards have looked pretty solid in defence, but they need to create more going forward. | |
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67’ – Nasr Eldin Omer (Al Merreikh) is cautioned. |
| 69’ – Good chances for Leopards as Bobe finds space on the right and his cross is just missed by Zulu. Ramagalela then crosses for Bobe, but his header is well-saved by Akram. | |
| 72’ – There is much more urgency in Leopards' play now. This could be a long 20 minutes for Al-Merreikh ... | |
| 74’ – El Basha shoots wide for Al-Merreikh in a rare attempt for them ... | |
| 77’ – The sting has gone out of the game and Leopards need to find it again quick ... | |
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81’ – Al Merreikh Substitution: Yaseen Yousuf replaces Collins Kelechi Osunwa |
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81’ – Black Leopards Substitution: Luyolo Mapolisa replaces Mahlatse Maake |
| 83’ – Leopards just can't get the ball into the visitors' box. | |
| 84’ – Akram saves from Bobe's cross-come-shot. Should have done better there the Lidoda Duvha skipper. | |
| 86’ – Corner to Al-Merreikh. Not the right end of the pitch for Leopards ... Maphaha punches clear. | |
| 89’ – Just a minute to go, leopards have had 15 shots on goal in the match, but Akram has only had to make two saves. They need to up it now ... | |
| 90’ – A corner into injury-time for Leopards, is this their moment ... almost Akram spills, but Al-Merreikh scramble clear! | |
| 90 + 2’ – Another corner for Leopards ... a terrible effort that goes straight out for a goal-kick. That might be that ... | |
| 90 + 3’ – Bobe shoots over, but he was offside in any event ... | |
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90 + 4’ – The referee blows the whistle for Full Time. |
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