‘SIKHALI’S BRACE SOLIDIFIES GREEN MAMBA SUMMIT SPOT

SIMUNYE – Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s brace steered Green Mamba to a comfortable win over relegation-haunted Sidwashini United in an MTN Premier League match played here yesterday.

The triumph saw Green Mamba maintaining their spot on the summit of the standings with 35 points, now holding a three-point lead over Royal Leopard, who have a game in hand. They are playing against Moneni Pirates today at Mavuso Sports Centre.

On the flip side, the Mduduzi ‘Nyama’ Shongwe’s side remain precariously positioned in the relegation zone, occupying the 13th spot with seven points, a perilous four-point gap separating them from Madlenya at the bottom of the table with just three points to their name.

The hosts emerged from the starting blocks with fierce determination, showcasing their attacking ability as ‘Sikhali’, who had previously gone three games without finding the back of the net in all competitions; put his team on the scoreboard in the 4th minute. ‘Sikhali’s clever finish, a well-placed shot into the far corner of the net, gave Sidwashini United’s goalkeeper, no chance between the sticks.

Rampant

The rampant hosts continued to dominate the match, swiftly adding to their tally in the 25th minute through the combination of ‘Sikhali’ and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane, setting up Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu for a clinical finish. As the first half drew to a close, the rookies mounted a resilient comeback, with Siciniseko ‘ Kai’ Ndzimandze delivering a powerful strike from close range in the 45th minute, off a beautifully threaded through ball from Bonkhe ‘Power’ Khumalo, to reduce the deficit.

In the second half, Inyoka Eluhlzane introduced a triple substitution that included Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, Njabulo ‘Magwegwe’ Magagula and Mbongeni ‘Mshishi’ Magagula in place of Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane, Kwanele ‘Rasta’ Shongwe and Mbutfo Dlamini. Their tactical changes were vindicated within seconds as ‘Sikhali’ was brought down in the box, resulting in a penalty that the talismanic striker coolly dispatched, effectively sealing the match at 3-1 in Mamba’s favour and bringing his tally to 16 league goals this campaign.

The unrelenting onslaught continued as the Sihlangu striker’s blistering pace saw him breach the offside trap, only to miss a gilt-edged opportunity to bag his hat-trick in the 55th minute. Green Mamba’s dominance was further cemented when defender Neliswa Nkambule capitalised on the chaos in the Sidwashini United box, scoring their fourth goal in the 67th minute, leaving the visitors’ technical bench in dismay.

As the second half neared its conclusion, both sides traded missed chances, with Samkelo ‘Fela’ Dlamini failing to convert for the Mbabane-based side, while ‘Mshishi’ narrowly missed the target from a tantalisingly close range.  With the match already well beyond their reach, the Melizwe Mamba side  were dealt another crushing blow as second-half substitute Bongmusa ‘Mbesuma’ Siphepho capitalised on a defensive blunder by the visitors  in the referee’s added time to slot home the fifth goal for Green Mamba, consigning their opponents to a humiliating 5-1 defeat.

The referee blew the final whistle, bringing to an end a thoroughly one-sided affair in which the 2022/2023 MTN Premier League champions had proven their supremacy and reaffirmed their status as a strong force in the league.

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