NJONGO’S BRACE SECURES ‘BIRDS’ 1ST VICTORY OF 2025

MANZINI – Royal Leopard delivered a stunning performance to thrash Moneni Pirates 5-0 and return to the summit of the league table alongside Green Mamba.  Before kick-off of the one-sided match played before a roaring crowd at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday, a moment of silence was observed in honour of fallen soccer star Bonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini, who was laid to rest  today—a sombre start to a game that quickly turned into a spectacle. The match was billed as the pick of the weekend, pitting title-chasing Leopard, unbeaten in the league, against a reinvigorated Pirates side that had won six consecutive matches across all competitions.

Despite their recent form, Pirates stumbled against a clinical Leopard side who unleashed their full arsenal to devastating effect. Pirates faced early pressure as Felix Badenhorst opened the scoring in the fourth minute, heading home from a Junior Magagula corner kick. Pirates supporters, vibrant as ever, roared their team on and Thembisa Shabangu nearly doubled Leopard’s lead moments later when his header from another Junior corner rattled the woodwork. Pirates began to find their rhythm as the game progressed, stringing together neat passes, but they failed to capitalise on their possession.

Four minutes before the break, Badenhorst struck again, completing his brace with a deft finish after a swift counter-attack. Shabangu’s well-timed cross laid the foundation for the goal, giving Leopard a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time. Pirates’ talisman, Senanelo Nkambule, was kept quiet throughout and their lack of clinical finishing left Leopard goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya largely untested. The second half was all about Leopard’s dominance. Junior Magagula added a spectacular third goal in the 49th minute with a thunderous free kick that kissed the crossbar on its way in.

Pirates’ hopes of a comeback were dashed when Shabangu curled in a close-range effort on the hour mark, making it 4-0 after another quick counter-attack. Frustration boiled over for Pirates as Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa was sent off for a reckless challenge on Badenhorst, leaving his team with a mountain to climb. Leopard showed no mercy, with veteran forward Lungelo Tsabedze capping off the evening in style. His audacious strike in the 85th minute caught the Pirates goalkeeper off-guard, sealing an emphatic 5-0 victory.

The win sees Leopard tied at the top of the table with Green Mamba, trailing only on goal difference. Despite the heavy loss, Pirates fans remained resolute, cheering their team until the final whistle. However, the defeat knocked them out of the top four; with Mbabane Swallows leapfrogging them after a 3-0 win over Madlenya. For Leopard, the result was a statement of intent in the title race—a reminder of their pedigree as eight-time champions.

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