Shivambu breaks his dad's heart

Morgan Shivambu got the silent treatment from his heartbroken father on Saturday night after the Black Leopards man played a key role in Kaizer Chiefs' demise in Nedbank Cup.

"My father only spoke to me the day after the game. He is a Chiefs fan. He likes Chiefs too much," said the former Moroka Swallows midfielder, who scored the opening goal in Lidoda Duvha's 2-1 victory over Amakhosi at FNB Stadium.

"He said congratulations, and he told me where I need to improve because he used to play soccer. It's football and he understands that these things happen."

Shivambu, who feels Amakhosi underestimated Leopards by fielding a second-string squad, has three months left on his contract with the Venda club and believes another good run in the Nedbank Cup could earn him a contract in top flight.

In 2008, Shivambu impressed in this competition while at National First Division side Winnerspark - scoring goals against African Warriors and Bidvest Wits before going on to sign for Swallows and later Platinum Stars.

This year, he has already found the back of the net against FC Cape Town and Chiefs. He will be the man to watch when Leopards host NFD rivals Vasco da Gama in the quarterfinals of Ke Yona next month.

"This competition means a lot to me. When I was at Winnerspark I scored against Warriors and Wits and then I signed for Swallows. This year I have scored against Maluti [FET College] and Chiefs. I believe I can get another chance in the PSL if I continue to work hard," the 32-year-old said.

After a slow start to the season, Leopards have turned things around in the NFD and have a good chance of qualifying for the end-of-season play-offs. They are in sixth place, seven points behind second-placed Thanda Royal Zulu and just five behind third-placed Jomo Cosmos with eight matches to play.