Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ DETHRONED AS: INGWE FOUR-CE WAY TO THE TOP

‘BIRDS’ DETHRONED AS: INGWE FOUR-CE WAY TO THE TOP
================================================================================
Nimrod Hlophe on 10/11/2024 09:08:00


BUHLENI – Eight-time MTN Premier League champions, Royal Leopard, has clawed
their way to the top of the table by annihilating rookies, Sisonkhe in a match
played here yesterday.
For the first time this season, Leopard forced their way to the summit,
displacing defending champions, Mbabane Swallows to fourth place. Swallows,
however, has a chance to reclaim the pole position as they will face city
rivals, Mbabane Highlanders today in their week seven fixture.
‘Ingwe Emabalabala’, as Leopard are fondly called now sits on 17 points,
while ‘Birds’ have 15, with Green Mamba nestled between them. The Edwin
Matsebula’s side remains the only undefeated team in the 2024/25 league
campaign. They are now on 11 games unbeaten in the league with last defeat on
April 20, 2024 last season to Green Mamba.   Sikhumbuzo Magagula’s first-half
screamer eased the police’s frustration after Felix Badenhorst missed a
penalty in the first half against the resilient minnows. The second half was a
goal fest, with Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula, Felix Kone, and Banele
‘Neymar’ Shongwe all finding the net. However, the Mbongeni Mamba’s
charges were overwhelmed despite a fearless first half effort, leading them to
suffering their heaviest defeat of the season. The result saw them drop from the
11th to the 12th rank on the charts.
Crumbling
It was a one-sided match, with Sisonkhe managing to contain the hosts in the
first half but crumbling in the second. Fanelo Tsabedze could have given Leopard
an early lead just three minutes in, but watched in disbelief as his effort
missed an open goal from inside the box. Leaopard then dominated the game, but
the visitors fought back, with veteran striker Simanga Shongwe and Sibane Mdluli
keeping Leopard’s defence on their toes. It was on the 28th minute when
Badenhorst failed convert, ballooning his penalty over the bar after Bagcinile
Mthethwa’s foul on Kone. Nonetheless, Leopard found a breakthrough just before
the break. Junior dispossessed Mukelo Nhlabatsi and set the Sikhumbuzo Magagula,
who unleashed a thunderous shot that struck the near post and ricocheted into
the net, ending their first-half frustrations and misfortunes.
On resumption, Leopard quickly doubled their advantage. Junior scored at the
near post after being picked out by Badenhorst just in the 59th minute. The
police side continued to dominate, despite Sisonkhe introducing fresh legs
around the hour mark.  Cameroonian import Kone opened his account with 20
minutes remaining, delivering a low shot that crushed the newcomers’ hopes.
Seven minutes later second-half substitute Banele ‘Neymar’ Shongwe hit a
nail the coffin in the 77th minute, with an assist from Junior to see the game
end on 4-0 drubbing of the rookies.