MANZINI WANDERERS, LEOPARD FIRE BLANKS

(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

Wanderers............................... (0)0
Leopard....... ........................... (0)0

MANZINI - Manzini Wanderers let slip a chance to jump to the sixth spot on the charts after firing blanks in a goal-less draw with 10-man Royal Leopard last night.

After closest challengers, Manzini Sundowns played to a 1-all draw in an earlier game also played at Mavuso Sports Centre; the home team needed all the points to keep the chasing pack in sight. Following the stalemate, Wanderers were leapfrogged by Mbabane Highlanders, who are on 12 points, after beating Red Lions 2-0 at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. The maroon and white outfit are nine points behind runaway leaders, Mbabane Swallows.
Wanderers and Highlanders are seventh and sixth with 11 and 12 points, respectively.

Leopard, who finished the game with 10 men, following the sending off of dependable centre-back, Phumlani Dlamini, a minute from time, also had to rue missed chances. The team skipper was sent off by referee, Mbongeni Shongwe, following a second bookable offence on Kola Aladeon. The blue and white outfit are eighth on the charts with 10 points.

Wanderers had dominated the early exchanges, with Ali Matse bringing the best out of Phephisani Msibi in one of the best chances of the opening period. Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane’s charges, who were confident on the ball, were good in transition, but also had nothing to show for their efforts at the break.

The sides had remained adventurous on resumption of play, with Sifiso Matse testing Phephisani Msibi with a long drive, while Barry Steenkamp opted to sky his efforts from close range. Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya, on the other hand, was denied by the woodwork, much to the frustration of their loyalists who had filled up the right side of tunnels. The effort summed up a frustrating night for both teams. The draw was a welcome change for the hosts, who had endured back-to-back 2-0 and 1-0 defeats against Leopard in the last campaign.  Wanderers have now failed to beat the blue and white outfit in over 270 minutes of football since the 2-0 win in the second round meeting of the 2015/16 season.

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