Fash-Ionable victory

(At Bouberfield Stadium –Bulawayo
Courtesy of Dups Insurance)

Sihlangu.........................................(0) 2
Mathokoza 70th, Fash 72th
Seychelles.....................................(1) 1
Zialor 7th

BULAWAYO – Sihlangu coachEphraim Shakes Mashaba was sweating at the sound of the final whistle.
He had his black blazer on his shoulders, as he savoured an unbelievable victory over minows Seychelles.
‘The Pirates’ as Seychelles are affectionately called were only 20 minutes from an emphatic victory against the ambitious Sihlangu.

The victory took Sihlangu to the summit of the log table with three points, after Botswana and Comoros Island had battled to a barren stalemate early in the afternoon.

Royal Leopards striker Mfanzile ‘Fash’ Dlamini proved he was the better ‘Fash’ in local football, not only scoring the winner but winning the hearts of the over 4 000 supporters at the 26 000 capacity stadium.
The hefty front man was a marvel to watch each time he was in possession, and that happened whilst his younger namesake Mfanfikile Ndzimandze had a nightmarish game until rested for his senior brother the speedy Mzwandile Ndzimandze who never disappointed.

The winner by ‘Fash’ was well taken, with the hefty targetman showing great composer in the box, before arrowing into the net the winner with 18 minutes to go, lightened the stadium to the extent of forcing a smile from Zimbabwean legend Madinda Ndlovu who was part of the over 4 000 crowd.
The goal came about 120 seconds after another Royal Leopards player Mathokoza Thwala had headed home a fine free kick from Raphael Ntimane, on the edge of the 18 area.

Sihlangu started well, making in roads into the jittery opposition, but they paid the prize for lapse in concentration when last year’s four goal hero Philip Zialor’s angled shot past Thokozani Mkhulisi from a dreaded headed back pass by the woefully off form Fash Ndzimandze.

In fact, the goal came a minute after Sabelo Hlatshwako who played a game of his life had sent a shot wide after a nice build initiated by Malungisa ‘Hurrah’ Dlamini and Mathokoza Thwala on the right flank.
After conceding the early goal, Sihlangu’s play was littered with a comedy of errors, especially Sifiso CJ Dlamini who played an unfamiliar right back position. ‘Fash’ tried sending in some shots at goal, but most of them were off target.

The introduction of Mzwandile helped give the team some sense of direction, even though the passes in the final third of the pitch were a let down. After the break, Sihlangu piled pressure on their opponents, and at the moment Sabelo Hlatshwako was causing havoc after switching to his usual position on the right flack.
Then came the much anticipated equaliser. Mzwandile Ndzimandze made a run on the left, he beat his marker, who was then adjudged for having upended him a few steps outside the box. Raphael stepped in and delivered a weighted cross that Tokyo headed against the upright and into the net.

After that goal, the skillful winger was rested for Ndoda Mthethwa, and the Weslians player’s introduction proved to be the right tonic. He had a part in the second goal, combining well with the workaholic Sabelo whose inch perfect pass inside the box, was deftly crontrolled by ‘Fash’ before scoring.

The stadium went wild. Ndoda should have added the third one but rushed his shot after coming face to face with the goalkeeper. And you guesed right, the final pass had come from the crowd’s favourite ‘Fash’.
There were scary moments later in the match, as Sihlangu started retreating, in the process allowing their opponents to pile pressure with their high balls. With five minutes to go, the local side survived a scare when a header by the lanky second half substitute Hubert went narrowly wide. And Mkhulisi had misjudged the cross.
The sound of the final whistle brought in wild celebration from the travelling 100 supporters, as they cheered their heroes. Sihlangu will now play a not so inspiring Botswana side that was held 0-0 by Comoros at the same stadium. The winner in the group will likely face the host nation Zimbabwe, who annihilated Mauritius on Saturday at Harare’s Independence Stadium.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Mfanzile ‘Fash’ Dlamini won the hearts of the supporters at the stadium, but credit must also go to debutant Sabelo Hlatshwako who played a game of his life, especially at the time when the team was needing an equaliser. He was there when it mattered the most.
SAVE OF THE DAY: This one goes to Seychelles Collin who dived to blocked a cracker by ‘Fash’, taken at 25 yards out in the second half.

SHOT OF THE DAY: There was none other than Fash’s stunning shot at 35 yards 23 minutes from time.
MOAN OF THE DAY: The unnecessary errors by Sihlangu when they were trailing 0-1 especially in the first half.

MOOD OF THE FANS: The stadium was abuzz before Zialor’s shocking goal, but it was back to its jovial mood after Tokyo’s equaliser. The mood after the winner was just unbelievable.
CROWD: About 4 000
WEATHER: Partly cloudy and warm.

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