SEA BIRDS BITTEN, MISS OUT ON 3RD SPOT

MBABANE – Green Mamba’s Siyabonga Simelane struck late to deny Manzini Sea Birds a top three finish in the MTN Premier League first round.

It was Sea Birds’ second loss in three days as they also crumbled 0-2 to defending champions Royal Leopard on Sunday at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. They finished the first round fourth behind leaders Mbabane Highlanders, Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes. The win for Green Mamba saw them finishing the first round in eighth position. They are from a 1-4 thrashing by rivals Young Buffaloes last week. The Correctional Services side has 22 points after 15 games.

Unlucky

Back to the game, Sea Birds were unlucky to lose the match as they dominated in the match with Green Mamba creating few chances. Green Mamba’s first goal was a mistake by Manzini Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya. Green Mamba’s Njabulo Thwala took a lame shot  that Ngwenya tried to control only for the ball to go straight to Neliswa Nkambule feet whose shot hit the goalpost before going in. The lead for Green Mamba only lasted for about 10 minutes as Muzi Tsabedze tapped in the ball after a scramble for the ball inside the box and the game went for the breather with both team tied a 1-all draw.

In the second half it was chance after chance for Sea Birds, but the trio of Muzi Tsabedze, Mthokizisi Gwebu and Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze were all guilty of missing chances that came their way. With five minutes before full-time and against the run of play, Green Mamba’s Siyabonga Simelane unleashed a same time strike outside the 18 area and it landed at the back of the net with goalkeeper Bafana a spectator and that is how Green Mamba won the match.

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