DOWN TO THE WIRE

MHLUME – It’s down to two points at the summit of the MTN Premier League as the title race goes on.

After last night, leaders Royal Leopard suffered a 2-0 defeat to Green Mamba who were five points adrift on second before this match. However, after both sides failed create clear cut chances, it was Green Mamba who turned on the heat in the second half, especially after the introduction of experienced former Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) AS Vita Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo. Troublesome lanky right-footed winger Linda Maphalala gave his side the much-needed three points from inside the six-yard box after tapping in a rebound from a long-range grass cutting shot by left back Lawrence Mncina.

It was a powerful effort from just outside the box on the left wing which goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini spilled into an unmarked Maphalala. The winger could have hit a hat-trick but Mbhonyo made brilliant saves to keep the score respectable. He had a glancing header acrobatically parried out by Mbhonyo twice before it crossed the goal line. Leopard  struggled to deal with their rivals in their own danger zone and this led to a second goal just at the stroke of full time.

This time it was midfielder Mxolisi Mkhontfo who unleashed a scorcher into the low bottom left corner of the net after a defence-freezing pass from impressive midfielder Njabulo Tfwala.
In fact, this was the only real chance created in the game. Leopard also had a good game but lacked in the final third. They did get their half chances in both halves but tactically, Green Mamba took the game after the hour-mark. Referee Mbongiseni Fakudze blew for full-time with Leopard under siege. The title race continues this weekend and it looks set to go down to the wire with five games left before the season ends. All top five teams are still very much in competition and interestingly they have head-to-head fixtures coming up. Meanwhile, Green Mamba was beaten 1-0 in the first round fixture/

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