NO FAIR PLAY AS LEOPARD HAMMER S. DREAMS

MANZINI – Royal Leopard returned to their winning ways after thumping Seven Dreams 5-1 yesterday.

This was during an MTN Premier League clash, which saw the game delayed 34 minutes before kick-off. This was due to the hosting team’s alleged failure to organise paramedics in time. This must have a hard pill to swallow for the rookies, who are facing relegation and placed at the very bottom part of the table. This is more so because they made some credible signings in the second transfer window in renowned former national team Sihlangu stars - the blind side, which according to FIFA Fairplay rule should not be, is that these players are police from Leopard.

Talented

These stars are talented Sifiso ‘Sushi’ Nkambule, Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele and forward Barry Steenkamp. According to the host team’s coach the deal did not allow them to use these players against their employees (all the three are police officers). Interestingly, Seven Dreams are part of Simunye, who have made noise about the security forces continued unfair advantage over civil teams. Other members of the Simunye group are Mbabane Highlanders, Mbabane Swallows, Manzini Wanderers, Moneni Pirates and Tambankulu Callies.

Meanwhile, it was an important win for the Edwin Matsebula-led, charges as it saw them climb up the ladder three places to seventh. For their rivals, it only worsens the situation as this fourth straight defeat keeps them rooted at position 13 of the 14-team league. Leopard were on fire from the onset and Muzi.

Header

Coming to the game the ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini put them in front a minute on with a glancing header from a Kelvin Kunene cross. The home side goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza failed to deal with the header as he watched the ball kiss the back of the net. The first attempt for the rookies came in the quarter-hour mark when Nhlalolenhle Khumalo missed from close range when the easiest thing to do was to pick a spot.

Seven Dreams were punished for missing what was supposed to be an equaliser after Leopard made it 2-0. It was gifted midfielder Junior Magagula who took on defenders on the left flank to beat shotstopper Mabuza between the sticks five minutes from the half-hour mark. The hosts reduced the deficit after Jabulane Mavimbela controlled the ball inside the box unmarked and brilliantly curled one into the top corner inside the last 10 minutes of the first half, making 2-1.

Ingwe Mabalabala made it 3-1 through Simanga Masangane a minute later, as he beat the advancing keeper much to the excitement of a their technical bench. It was a rude end to the half for the rookies who would have preferred the 2-1 but went to half-time training 4-1. Sdumo Dlamini netted the defending champions’ fourth.

Unlucky

After the break, Seven Dreams looked in control, but missed the chances they created. Their forward Innocent Bakule, was the most unlucky one he must have thought his gods had forsaken him, when he failed to reduce the deficit, yet he got more than one good opportunity to do so. He first broke through the defence but goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini pulled a beautiful save two minutes into the second half.

Bakule missed another golden chance 20 minutes before full-time after he was set up for goal by Phumlani Ngwenya when his volleyed attempt flew just over the bar. Strangely, the only police player allowed was veteran defender Jerome Ntshalintshali, who unfortunately found himself scoring in his own net after a well-orchestrated attack by Thembisa Shabangu just seven minutes before referee Letticia Viana blew her final whistle.Leopard completed a double over the minnows with the 5-1 win, as they had won the reverse fixture 1-0.

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