'Ronaldo' of SA edges Leopards nearer promotion

Moruleng - Black Leopards coach Joel Masuthu hailed Mwape Musonda as the "Ronaldo" of South Africa on Saturday after his wonder goal pushed the club closer to promotion into the South African Premiership.

The burly Zambia-born striker equalised twice in a 2-2 draw at Platinum Stars in a thrilling Premiership/National First Division promotion/relegation play-off.

His first goal on 52 minutes at Moruleng Stadium in a northwestern village was a masterclass of agility and timing as he scored via a bicycle kick.

A deep cross was nodded back to Mwape, whose spectacular strike flew past Platinum goalkeeper Dino Visser into the net.

"That goal resembled the Cristiano Ronaldo bicycle-kick goal for Real Madrid against Juventus in the Champions League this season," said Masuthu.

The goal from the Portuguese superstar during a 3-0 triumph for Real in Turin was rated among the best scored in the elite European competition.

"Mwape belongs in the Premiership. He works so hard at training and pushes himself to the limit every day," added his coach.

Many South Africans will have missed the Musonda goal as they were watching Cristiano Ronaldo help Real Madrid beat Liverpool 3-1 in the Champions League final at the same time.

Letsie Koapeng put Platinum ahead twice on 23 and 84 minutes only for Musonda to dash their hopes of victory by levelling after 52 and 87 minutes.

Drawing kept Leopards top of the three-club table with five points from three matches and a home win over Jomo Cosmos next Wednesday will seal promotion.

Platinum, forced into the play-offs with second-division sides Leopards and Cosmos after finishing second-last in the Premiership, are staring at relegation.

They can top the final standings only if Cosmos win at Leopards, then lose at home to Stars next Saturday, leaving all three clubs on five points and bringing goal difference into play.

Promotion offers the chance to compete for league and cup first prizes worth 29 million rand ($2.320 mn/1.990 mn euros) next season plus a 1.5 mn rand monthly grant.