NSINGIZINI SOAR TO 3RD SPOT

(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)
Rangers ............... (0)1
Hleliso 90+1
Nsingizini................(1)2
Thubelihle  55th , Mvuselelo 90+5

NHLANGANO – Nsingizini Hotspurs have sent a resounding message in the MTN Premier League title race, climbing from fourth to third place.
This follows a hard-fought 2-1 victory over regional rivals Rangers in the much-anticipated Shiselweni derby. This win saw Hotspurs leapfrogging defending champions Mbabane Swallows, bringing them closer to the league summit. Currently, eight-time league winners Royal Leopard sit on top, level on 28 points with Green Mamba. However, Hotspurs have missed out on the E100 000 first-round bonus, which will now be contested between the top two teams. Meanwhile, this defeat marked the end of Rangers’ impressive four-match unbeaten run, causing them to slip down the league standings. It was also their second loss in the regional derby, with their previous encounter ending in a draw. The Shiselweni derby commenced a mere 19 minutes behind schedule due to a brief but heavy downpour. The inclement weather forced both teams to remain in their dressing rooms after warm-up, leaving over 1 000 fans seeking shelter in vehicles and against the stadium’s walls.

Once the skies cleared, the fierce rivalry reignited with intensified fervour. Nsingizini Hotspurs, fondly known as Insingizi Zezulu, started brightly, although Rangers, nicknamed ‘Bolova’, gradually found their footing in the midfield battle. Tehen Mikoli had an early goal for Hotspurs ruled offside, and nine minutes later, Thubelihle Mavuso squandered a golden opportunity, firing over the bar after a cross from Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane. As the half-hour mark approached, Rangers began to dictate the tempo, turning the match into a tightly-contested affair that had the crowd on the edge of their seats. At half-time, the score remained level, leaving both sets of supporters anxiously anticipating the restart.

brilliant

The second half saw Hotspurs come out reinvigorated. Rangers’ goalkeeper, Mduduzi Mngometulu, made a brilliant save to deny Mavuso’s thunderous effort just four minutes after the resumption. Rangers responded three minutes later with a dangerous cross that eluded all attackers. Five minutes before the hour mark, Mavuso finally broke the deadlock with a weak volley, capitalising on a rebound from Mngometulu after ‘Masoso’ Simelane’s initial shot. Following the goal, Rangers’ energy levels dipped slightly, yet they maintained their pursuit of an equaliser. With 10 minutes remaining, they intensified their efforts, but Hleliso Gamedze squandered a crucial chance in the 82nd minute, cutting through the Nsingizini defence, but being thwarted by goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini. Hotspurs found themselves under siege, and in added time, Gamedze intercepted a pass from captain Pius Baffour and ‘Baraba’ to equalise, igniting celebrations among the home crowd. However, the joy was short-lived as Mvuselelo Mthethwa restored Hotspurs’ lead with a stunning assist from Mavuso just seconds before the final whistle.

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