RANGERS SHOOT DOWN ‘SEA ROBBERS’

KALANGA – Elite league rookies Rangers FC made their presence felt in the MTN premier league after beating Moneni Pirates 1-0 in an entertaining clash here yesterday afternoon.

The game started on a high tempo as both sides searched for an early goal which was elusive for the better part of the first stanza. Rangers should have taken the lead 10 minutes into the game after a nice build up from the belly of the park and the ball was played to Sibonelo Mhlanga, who took a shot which went wide when the goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini was at his mercy. On the other end Moneni Pirates Captain Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane watched in agony as his header was cleared off the line.
The Sea Robbers continued to pile pressure on Rangers with enterprising winger Mphumuzo Sangweni taking defenders for a joy ride and his shot hit the side net with Rangers keeper Mduduzi Mngometulu well beaten. The Shiselweni-based side should have taken the lead five minutes before half time, but Mfanasibili Kunene awfully shot wide inside the box when scoring was the simplest thing to do.

Missed

Moneni Pirates supporters, players and the technical bench could not believe their eyes when Sibonelo ‘Jekwa’ Simelane missed a golden opportunity when Mbongeni Magagula dribbled his way to goal and passed the ball to Simelane who shot agonisingly wide with an empty net in front of him. This miss would contend for the  ‘miss of the season award’, had there been any. The sides went for a breather tied at 0-0. Moneni Pirates increased their tempo in the second stanza, but the final touch was their major let-down. Then came Rangers golden moment in the 52nd minute when the goal-bound troublesome Mhlanga was brought down inside the box by Pirates skipper ‘Magawugawu’. Referee Mbongeni Myeni had no option but to point to the penalty spot. Thanduxolo Kunene converted with ease to make the score 1-0.

Pirates tried to push hard for an equaliser, Malibongwe Malinga thought he had found one, but his rasping shot just outside the box hit the goal post with the keeper watching. The Rangers keeper made a daring save after Sangweni broke free and the keeper came off his line to collect the ball in Sangweni’s feet. Moneni Pirates created chance after chance, but the goals did not come until the referee blew his final whistle, to provoke untold scenes of jubilation for the visitors who claimed their first three points in the elite league at the expense of seasoned campaigners Moneni Pirates.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: