‘BUCS’ STUN GREEN MAMBA

MHLUME – Moneni Pirates veteran defender Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane’s spot kick stunned Green Mamba and provisionally got them out of the relegation zone as they recorded their first win of the season.

‘Magawugawu’ converted from the penalty spot in the first stanza to leave the defending champions shell-shocked. The ‘Sea Robbers’ as Pirates are affectionately called, robbed Green Mamba the maximum points, defeating them 1-0 during a MTN Premier League match played here yesterday. The historic triumph for Pirates came exactly after 1 530 minutes, which is 17 games, without a win this season, which has stretched for  over 11 months as their last league victory was against Nsingizini Hotspurs on March 5, last year, where they won 1-0.
Pirates are temporarily ahead of Manzini Wanderers and Ezulwini United, who face off in relegation six-pointer today. Pirates boast better goals scored as bottom loggers’ trio is pegged on 13 points.

Meanwhile, nothing was lost for Ernest Mavuso’s charges, besides a cause for concern, after suffering a second shock defeat this year to bottom loggers. Wanderers edged them 1-0 to destabilise their title chance. However, the summit is still within reach, as they remained third on the log, and two points shy of log leaders Royal Leopard, who played to a 1-all draw against Mbabane Swallows yesterday, while Young Buffaloes, who were at the summit before yesterday’s games, got a shocked 2-1 Nsingizini Hotspurs. Coming back to the game, the Correctional Services side was on top of the clash as they dominated the play with Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa leading the attack, but failed to get clear-cut chances. Pirates resisted the attack with solid defence, while Mpumuzo ‘Bhada’ Sangweni took them on counter-attacks with their bright striker Wandile ‘Shaka’ Simelane.

As the hosts were wasteful, ‘Shaka’ took them on pace, beating the defenders and chipped the ball past goalkeeper Xolani Gama, who was advancing powerlessly. In that effort to prevent a shock lead, he fouled the Pirates’ forward and referee Thokozani Dlamini did not hesitate to point to the spot. ‘Magawugawu’ stepped up and wrecked the net. The score at half time was 1-0 in favour of Pirates. Green Mamba came into the last 45 minutes, guns blazing, attacking endlessly, forcing the visitors to sit back and leaving ‘Shaka’ as their target for counter-attacks. After the hour mark, Mbutfo Dlamini had a fine attempt at goal, but Bhekisisa Dlamini tipped it over the bar for  a fruitless corner. Njabulo Ndlovu could have restored parity in the 78th minute but his shot went over the bar as the frustration grew with every moment for them. However, their pounding did not succeed until the final whistle, as Pirates held onto the knifes edge until the final whistle.

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