LEOPARD COMPLETE DOUBLE OVER RANGERS

NHLANGANO – They are on fire!

This is after Royal Leopard condemned Rangers to their 13 defeat of the season, hammering them 3-0 at their own backyard in an MTN Premier League encounter yesterday. The police ensemble completed a double over the Shiselweni based side having won the reverse fixture 2-0 which was played on November 24, 2021. The victory ensured that the Edwin Matsebula-led charges keep log leaders Mbabane Highlanders at a touching distance. The ‘Black Bull’ beat Denver Sundowns 2-0 to maintain the top spot with 46 points while the defending champions are second on 45 points. The loss for the hosts should worry them as they have conceded seven goals within seven days. They were hammered 4-0 last Sunday at Mayaluka Stadium and yesterday they conceded three more goals which were all scored in the first half.

The visitors who started with Barry Steenkamp in front with Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini and Lungelo Tsabedze on the flanks scored four minutes the game. This is after ‘Mzoro’ was hacked by Lindokuhle Dlamini inside the danger zone and referee Thembinkosi Dlamini never hesitated but pointed on the spot. Junior Magagula took the honours and converted from the spot sending goalkeeper Mduduzi Mngometulu to the wrong direction. Rangers got a chance six minutes later to level matters but Bongani Mvubu header saved by Leopard third choice keeper Mlamuli Makhanya. Lungelo Tsabedze made it 2-0 after passing the ball into empty net after unleashing a loop ball toward the advancing keeper in the 11th minute.

Leopard keeper was called into action again when he stopped a Sibonelo Mhlanga volley five minutes before the half hour mark. Rangers’ Mzwandile Bhembe thought his volley from the edge of the box was destined for goal but the ball stuck on the waterlogged pitch and Leopard goalkeeper collected it with ease. The away side added to their tally after a Barry Steenkamp cross was tapped in by Lindokuhle Dlamini in a mis-kick attempt just three minutes after the half hour mark. Despite that the hosts seemed to have an upper hand in the second half none of their half chances materialised into goals. Noteworthy is that it was drizzling through-out the game and it made it difficult to pass the ball as the artificial pitch was waterlogged.

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