ROYAL LEOPARD E100K RICHER

NHLANGANO – Royal Leopard’s fortunes shone brightly yesterday as they clinched the MTN Premier League carrot prize despite their goalless draw against Green Mamba.

The draw saw the Edwin Matsebula side walk away with the E100 000 ‘carrot’ first round prize in a game that was watched by over 400 supporters. The result saw Leopard maintaining top spot with 29 points with Green Mamba second, with the same points, the latter boasting a superior goal difference.

Entering the match, both teams renowned for their possession-based style of play, surprisingly struggled to exhibit their hallmark brand of football, with neither team able to gain a foothold in the contest. The opening half hour saw a lack of clear-cut chances until Wandile ‘Shaka’ Simelane, the Ingwe Mabalabala in-form striker, missing a golden opportunity, blasting the ball over the bar after receiving a tame pass from junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula, who was demonstrating flashes of brilliance.

After the interval, ‘Inyoka Eluhlzane’ made two substitutions, introducing Kwanele ‘Rasta’ Shongwe and Njabulo ‘Mazza’ Tfwala in place of Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu and Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, who had underwhelmed in the first-half. The visitors responded by making three substitutions of their own, replacing Thikithi Dlamini, Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini and Wandile Simelane with Sfiso ‘Ayoba’ Matse, Banele ‘Neymar’ Shongwe and Sandziso Tsabedze.

With the game remaining goalless, Mazza had a golden opportunity to break the deadlock in the 55th minute, but his attempt was off target after a delicious cross from Mcolisi ‘Marcelo’ Manana. With both sides desperately seeking a breakthrough in the closing stages, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, formerly of Mbabane Swallows, came agonisingly close to scoring, with his chance gliding past the goalpost.

As the match neared its conclusion, anticipation mounted, but neither side could find the decisive moment, leaving the scores deadlocked at 0-0. Despite their reputations for attractive football, neither side were able to impose their signature style on the game, as both teams cancelled each other out on the day. FIFA-accredited Referee Thulani Sibandze brought proceedings to a close, signalling the end of a game that ultimately failed to deliver on its potential for an exhilarating encounter.

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