Times Of Swaziland: ROYAL LEAP-ARD

ROYAL LEAP-ARD
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Ntokozo Magongo on 10/03/2022 08:46:00


SITEKI – Wandile ‘Shaka’ Simelane’s first half hat-trick propelled Royal
Leopard back to the summit of the MTN Premier League log.
The police ensemble walloped hapless Milling Hot Spurs 5-0 in a one sided match
played here yesterday. The other goals were a brace by substituted Bongani
Ndzimandze, who netted both both goals in a space of five minutes before the
final whistle. The Edwin Matsebula led-side now lead Mbabane Highlanders with
two points as they have 38 points after the big win yesterday. They were
dislodged at the top by the ‘Bull’ on Saturday who beat Manzini Wanderers
4-2 under week 16 of the league that marked the start of the second round.
Leopard beat Mbabane Highlanders 2-0 last Wednesday to take home the E200 000
first round incentive. Milling remain in the relegation quagmire with 16 points
after 16 matches. They are fifth from the bottom of the 16 team log. Back to the
match, Leopard who are fresh from losing their third game in the CAF
Confederation Cup, where they were beaten 2-1 by Libya’s Al-Ittihad, dominated
the match from start to finish.
Milling Hot Spurs goalkeeper was kept busy in the opening minutes as he made
save after save with Leopard firing from all cylinders. In the 10th minute there
was little he could do to save his side as the hat-trick boy ‘Shaka’ fired a
cracker right to the left corner of the net unmarked next to the penalty spot.
Leopard continued to pile pressure on the visitors and ‘Shaka’ was back
three minutes from the half-hour mark to beat the goalkeeper Sifiso Maseko with
a ground shot, having received a delightful pass from midfielder maestro
‘Junior’ Magagula.
Milling only had one chance to shoot on goal with 10 minutes remaining before
the break when Mlungisi Ngwenya’s ground shot from outside the box was easily
saved by Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini, who had little to do in the first half.
With two minutes remaining before half-time, ‘Shaka’ completed his hattrick,
taking his tally to eight goals for the season when he fired another hard shot
to the right top corner inside the box and the match went for the breather with
Leopard dominating and enjoying the 3-0 lead.