Times Of Swaziland: RANGERS SHOOT DOWN ‘SEA ROBBERS’

RANGERS SHOOT DOWN ‘SEA ROBBERS’
================================================================================
Machawe Fakudze on 08/11/2021 08:20:00


KALANGA – Elite league rookies Rangers FC made their presence felt in the MTN
premier league after beating Moneni Pirates 1-0 in an entertaining clash here
yesterday afternoon.
The game started on a high tempo as both sides searched for an early goal which
was elusive for the better part of the first stanza. Rangers should have taken
the lead 10 minutes into the game after a nice build up from the belly of the
park and the ball was played to Sibonelo Mhlanga, who took a shot which went
wide when the goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini was at his mercy. On the other end
Moneni Pirates Captain Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane watched in agony as his
header was cleared off the line.
The Sea Robbers continued to pile pressure on Rangers with enterprising winger
Mphumuzo Sangweni taking defenders for a joy ride and his shot hit the side net
with Rangers keeper Mduduzi Mngometulu well beaten. The Shiselweni-based side
should have taken the lead five minutes before half time, but Mfanasibili Kunene
awfully shot wide inside the box when scoring was the simplest thing to do.
Missed
Moneni Pirates supporters, players and the technical bench could not believe
their eyes when Sibonelo ‘Jekwa’ Simelane missed a golden opportunity when
Mbongeni Magagula dribbled his way to goal and passed the ball to Simelane who
shot agonisingly wide with an empty net in front of him. This miss would contend
for the  ‘miss of the season award’, had there been any. The sides went for
a breather tied at 0-0. Moneni Pirates increased their tempo in the second
stanza, but the final touch was their major let-down. Then came Rangers golden
moment in the 52nd minute when the goal-bound troublesome Mhlanga was brought
down inside the box by Pirates skipper ‘Magawugawu’. Referee Mbongeni Myeni
had no option but to point to the penalty spot. Thanduxolo Kunene converted with
ease to make the score 1-0.
Pirates tried to push hard for an equaliser, Malibongwe Malinga thought he had
found one, but his rasping shot just outside the box hit the goal post with the
keeper watching. The Rangers keeper made a daring save after Sangweni broke free
and the keeper came off his line to collect the ball in Sangweni’s feet.
Moneni Pirates created chance after chance, but the goals did not come until the
referee blew his final whistle, to provoke untold scenes of jubilation for the
visitors who claimed their first three points in the elite league at the expense
of seasoned campaigners Moneni Pirates.