SEA BIRDS, MALANTI IN 1-ALL DRAW

NHLANGANO – Manzini Sea Birds and Malanti Chiefs played to a 1-all goal stalemate.

This was during the MTN Premier League match at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium here yesterday. A goal by each team in each half saw the two sides share the spoils. ‘Izinyoni Zolwandle’ had to come from behind to force a draw after Malanti took the lead as early as the fourth minute through the boot of Zweli Fakudze, who unleashed a cracker outside the area to beat Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya. It was a brilliant effort from the right channel after connecting a pass from the skilful South Africa-born Thokozani Khanyile.

Trailing

The home side went to the breather trailing but were able to find the equaliser a minute after the hour-mark with Sandumuzi Zwane’s goal, that was as good as the one scored by Malanti. It was a good individual effort as he unleashed to the roof of the net to see his side level with Malanti. Otherwise it was an interesting match that saw both sides creating good chances, especially in the first 30 minutes. Sea Birds rested their trusted forward in former Mbabane Highlanders skipper Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze. Malanti’s captain, Siyabonga ‘Siya’ Nkambule, was also not playing.

The visitors should have doubled the lead at the 36th minute, but Teboho Motale saw his effort just wide after he used a wrong technique and missed the target by inches. Gcina Dlamini made a few changes at the resumption of the second stanza introducing Gcinizwi Dlamini ad Wandile Dlamini for Siphelele Dladla and Khaya Dlamini. The changes paid off for Sea Birds as Gcinizwi played a crucial part in commanding the middle and distributing good goals to create chances to Sea Birds to find the equaliser.

Malanti had played their first game of the season against elite league rookies, Tinyosi, who beat the team 2-0 at the Prince of Wales Ground last weekend while Sea Birds were playing their first official game after their first match against Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows was cancelled as the latter allegedly arrived late for card checking. The result means Sea Birds and Malanti claimed their first point each in the new 2020/21 season.

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