ZUNGU’S PENALTY DENIES LEOPARD WIN

Matsapha Utd......................(0)1
Zungu 88th
R. Leopard...........................(0)1
Zweli 70th

MANZINI – It was a share of the spoils between town rivals Matsapha United and Royal Leopard yesterday in an exciting MTN Premier League encounter at Mavuso Sports Centre.

The game needed to go to second half before fans could witness goals. It was a game with a bit of drama and either side could have got at least two penalties but in the end it was Matsapha who benefitted with one.

Leopard took the lead through midfielder Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo who tapped into the near post from a second ball inside the box in the 70th minute. Striker Barry Steenkamp, who should have won the E5 000 hat trick incentive, had forgotten his scoring boots at home after getting a host of gilt-edged chances. He got two in the first half but all in vain then broke twice in the second half.

Just when Leopard and fans had started counting a goal, Steenkamp allowed Matsapha keeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala to steal the ball right from his feet and clear for a corner.
He was released again by Bongane Ndzimandze but gifted the keeper with the ball one on one.
In the last effort, he picked ‘Mlilo’ but his effort was saved with a spread out leg for a corner by the advancing Matsapha keeper.

Leopard should have got a penalty soon after Matsapha equalised from the spot kick in the 88th but referee Mbongeni Shongwe saw nothing wrong as he was tripped inside the box at the death. Matsapha’s goal was scored by captain and midfielder Vusumuzi Zungu from the spot kick after a foul on speedy Siphamandla Dlamini by left back Sikhumbuzo Magagula after substitute Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina nicely set him up on the right flank.

Matsapha had a couple of other half chances but it turned a draw was to be the end result.
It otherwise was a tight first half in which both sides played good football, created chances but it was either wayward or weak shots that saw the game reach the break goalless. There was tension, no wonder the referee issued three cautions in this half. One caution went to Matsapha and two to Leopard, especially after tempers flared in the closing five minutes of this half.

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