‘BIRDS’ DETHRONED AS: INGWE FOUR-CE WAY TO THE TOP

BUHLENI – Eight-time MTN Premier League champions, Royal Leopard, has clawed their way to the top of the table by annihilating rookies, Sisonkhe in a match played here yesterday.

For the first time this season, Leopard forced their way to the summit, displacing defending champions, Mbabane Swallows to fourth place. Swallows, however, has a chance to reclaim the pole position as they will face city rivals, Mbabane Highlanders today in their week seven fixture.

 ‘Ingwe Emabalabala’, as Leopard are fondly called now sits on 17 points, while ‘Birds’ have 15, with Green Mamba nestled between them. The Edwin Matsebula’s side remains the only undefeated team in the 2024/25 league campaign. They are now on 11 games unbeaten in the league with last defeat on April 20, 2024 last season to Green Mamba.   Sikhumbuzo Magagula’s first-half screamer eased the police’s frustration after Felix Badenhorst missed a penalty in the first half against the resilient minnows. The second half was a goal fest, with Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula, Felix Kone, and Banele ‘Neymar’ Shongwe all finding the net. However, the Mbongeni Mamba’s charges were overwhelmed despite a fearless first half effort, leading them to suffering their heaviest defeat of the season. The result saw them drop from the 11th to the 12th rank on the charts.

Crumbling

It was a one-sided match, with Sisonkhe managing to contain the hosts in the first half but crumbling in the second. Fanelo Tsabedze could have given Leopard an early lead just three minutes in, but watched in disbelief as his effort missed an open goal from inside the box. Leaopard then dominated the game, but the visitors fought back, with veteran striker Simanga Shongwe and Sibane Mdluli keeping Leopard’s defence on their toes. It was on the 28th minute when Badenhorst failed convert, ballooning his penalty over the bar after Bagcinile Mthethwa’s foul on Kone. Nonetheless, Leopard found a breakthrough just before the break. Junior dispossessed Mukelo Nhlabatsi and set the Sikhumbuzo Magagula, who unleashed a thunderous shot that struck the near post and ricocheted into the net, ending their first-half frustrations and misfortunes.

On resumption, Leopard quickly doubled their advantage. Junior scored at the near post after being picked out by Badenhorst just in the 59th minute. The police side continued to dominate, despite Sisonkhe introducing fresh legs around the hour mark.  Cameroonian import Kone opened his account with 20 minutes remaining, delivering a low shot that crushed the newcomers’ hopes. Seven minutes later second-half substitute Banele ‘Neymar’ Shongwe hit a nail the coffin in the 77th minute, with an assist from Junior to see the game end on 4-0 drubbing of the rookies.

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