MAJOR SETBACK FOR NSINGIZI

DURBAN – Nsingizini Hotspurs faced a significant setback in their inaugural CAF Confederation Cup campaign, suffering a 3-0 defeat to South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) side, Stellenbosch.

While the goals scored by Stellenbosch at Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, yesterday were not particularly spectacular, it was the defensive lapses of Alexio Sigion’s charges that proved catastrophic. The home side conceded two avoidable goals during the first-half, and during the second half, a reckless tackle by goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini on Lenhlohonolo Mojela, resulted in a rather needless penalty which was coolly converted by Fawaaz Basadien, with just 19 minutes remaining.

In the first-half, strikes from Andre De Jong and Devon Titus had already put the Steve Barker-led visitors firmly in control. The second leg of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) second-tier inter-club competition preliminary round fixture, scheduled for next Saturday at the same venue, offers little hope for the country’s envoys, as they seek to recover from the 3-0 setback to the Cape Town outfit. Initially, it seemed the game might end in a goalless stalemate, but lapses in concentration proved to be the decisive factor. De Jong found the net by tapping in a cross from Kyle Jurgens just 10 minutes before half-time.

Lapse

Moments later, the unthinkable occurred; a lapse in communication between Pius Awuah and his goalkeeper Dlamini, allowed Titus to tiptoe in and slot the ball past the advancing ‘Baraba’, leaving the hosts trailing 2-0 at the break. For Nsingizini, there was little to cheer about, apart from a near miss by Mncedisi Dlamini, whose volley almost caught goalkeeper Sage Stephens off guard. Most of Nsingizini’s offensive efforts faltered in the final third. In the second half, the hosts appeared to have regained some energy, buoyed by nearly 200 enthusiastic fans, especially when Juhinho was introduced, injecting fresh dynamism into the attack. Unfortunately for the home side, Stellenbosch’s defence remained resolute, effectively shutting down any meaningful threats.

At one point, Juhinho earned a free-kick but squandered the opportunity by volleying over the bar before the hour mark. Just when it seemed Nsingizini might hold on, the visitors struck again, extending their lead to 3-0. ‘Baraba’ may have felt the odds were against him following the reckless challenge on Mojela, leading to a penalty awarded by the referee, which Basadien converted with aplomb.
Despite the ebb and flow of the match, neither side was able to launch meaningful attacks. In another CAF inter-club tournament, Eswatini’s Mbabane Swallows secured a 1-0 victory against Mozambique’s Ferroviário da Beira, enhancing their chances of facing South Africa’s CAF Champions League winners, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the next round.

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