BOCUANE BREAKS WESLIANS’ HEARTS

BIG BEND – Mozambique striker Felisberto Bocuane gifted Malanti Chiefs their first league win of the season yesterday.

Chiefs beat a misfiring Manzini Wanderers to move up one place from the bottom with four points after eight outings. This was a major boost for the visitors who have endured a losing streak in the past five games. The loss denied the Weslians who have 12 points, of a top four spot inspite of Manzini Sea Birds and Mbabane Swallows dropping points after playing to a goal-less draw at King Sobhuza Memorial Stadium yesterday. The Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe-led side dropped one place from fifth to sixth on the log standings. The home side started brightly with Thembisa Shabangu breaking the deadlock 13 minutes into the game.He finished off from Lindokuhle Fakudze’s cross from the right flank. The latter made a surprise switch move to Weslians from Chiefs at the start of the season.

Malanti levelled matters with five minutes to go before half time through Sitsembiso Simelane. He scored from a free kick to make it 1-1 beating Wanderers goalkeeper   Innocent Adja who was not at his best on the day.
Jimoh Moses was given marching orders by referee Thulani Sibandze on the stroke of halftime after a head  on collision with Malanti’s Thokozani Khanyile. The game went into the break with both sides locked at 1-1. The hosts were more aggressive in the second half and they could have made it 2-1 had Majahasibili Ndlovu not missed the golden opportunity in the hour mark after being set for goal by Mlandvo Dlamini. The visitors also had their fair chance with Myalo Gwebu, who could have done better, but dragged his feet until he was dispossessed when he was unmarked inside the box 24 minutes into the second half. Mopina could have gave the maroon and white ensemble the lead, but Malanti goalkeeper Colani Mngometulu parried out his header for a fruitless corner in the 75th minute. Mopina missed another glorious chance with 10 minutes to go after a soft pass from Ndlovu.
It was Chiefs’ right winger Sandile Mazibuko who broke through the opposition’s defence, dribbled passed the goalkeeper, Adja, and spotted an unmarked Bocuane who headed into an empty net much to the disappointment of the home side, with three minutes from time.

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