Times Of Swaziland: ON SONG WANDERERS CRUISE INTO TOP FOUR

ON SONG WANDERERS CRUISE INTO TOP FOUR
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BY SABELO NDZINISA on 06/05/2021 07:57:00


MANZINI - The Hub giant is awakening.
Manzini Wanderers are enjoying a rich run of winning form in the MTN Premier
League after collecting seven points from a possible nine following their
slender 1-0 victory over a resistant Tambuti FC. This was during a
not-so-entertaining league match played at the Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday
afternoon. This was a second consecutive win for the Manzini giants and adding
to that impressive run is the fact that they have not tasted defeat in three
consecutive matches so far. This has further been complemented by a deserved
place in the top four for the maroon and white giants who have leapfrogged
Correctional Service outfit Green Mamba to occupy fourth position on the current
log standings, eight points behind leaders Young Buffaloes, who also won 4-0
against Mhlume Peacemakers at Tambankulu Stadium yesterday and have a game in
hand.
Happy
Wanderers coach Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe was evidently a happy man at the
sound of the final whistle by referee Mciniseli Sithole and these were
sentiments he shared in the post-match inquest. The goal that decided the
outcome of this encounter came 11 minutes into the game through Wanderers’
left winger Mncedisi Dlamini. The player collected a pass from the busy-as-a-bee
Fabrice Mopina who ran tirelessly at the Tambuti FC defence throughout the game
and was unlucky not to have been rewarded with a goal. He actually twice saw his
efforts coming off the woodwork with the Tambuti FC goalkeeper Mlungisi Nxumalo
well beaten on both occasions.
However, the star of the show for the ‘Weslians’ was undoubtedly the
skillful Siboniso Ndzabandzaba who was in sublime form and a constant menace to
the opposition defence whenever he was in possession of the ball.
The opening minutes of this game had nothing much spectacular to report about as
scoring chances were scarce, with Wanderers battling to find the needed cohesion
that would have threatened the opposition. It was only in the second half that
the game sprung into life as Tambuti came out of their shell and started to play
with a bit of purpose. They looked more threatening going forward but the
closest they came to troubling the Wanderers defence was in the 72nd minute when
a header by substitute Mcebo Mdluli was cleared off the goalline by Lindokuhle
Fakudze with some already counting a goal…a close escape for the Hub giants.