Mamba sink woeful Wanderers

(At KaLanga Technical Centre)

G. Mamba……(1)2

‘D4D’ 27^th, Bhekani 61^st

Wanderers……(0)1

Osmin 80^th

SITEKI – Manzini Wanderers’ miserable start to the season continued yesterday, as they fell to a narrow 2-1 defeat against title-chasing Green Mamba.

The two sides faced off in a lacklustre MTN Premier League clash at the KaLanga Technical Centre outside the small but bustling Siteki Town.

In a match played before a modest crowd, the ‘Weslians’ arrived looking like sacrificial lambs, grappling with internal instability and a disastrous run of results. For Green Mamba, who began the day just five points off the summit, this round nine fixture was a crucial step in keeping pace with the ‘big boys’ in the hunt for the E120 000 first-round ‘carrot’.

Despite their overwhelming favouritism, it took a long time for the hosts to stamp their authority, while Wanderers, still smarting from their 2-3 loss to Amawele, had the first glorious opportunity inside 10 minutes. Striker Mlandvo Ndzinisa, facing off against his elder brother Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, shook off the defence only to fire a lame shot straight at Green Mamba goalkeeper Siyabonga Simelane.

The hosts were denied by the woodwork shortly after and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu saw his long-range effort go agonisingly wide. The breakthrough finally arrived in the 27^th minute, capitalising on a defensive mix-up. ‘Sikhali’s’ header looped over the advancing Wanderers goalkeeper Mario Jamine, leaving ‘D4D’ to tap the ball into an empty net.

Before the break, Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane wasted a golden chance to double the lead, inexplicably skying his effort from a Colani Dlamini cross. ‘D4D’ thought he had completed his brace seven minutes later, but the effort was rightly chalked off for offside. Wanderers, who lost key forward Manuel Silima to injury just before the interval, were living dangerously, saved only by their goalkeeper and the post as Green Mamba took a slender 1-0 lead into the dressing room.

Wanderers’ attempts to add more firepower after the restart, sacrificing Mlandvo and Andile Gwebu for Siyabonga Xaba and Siyabonga Simelane, were immediately curtailed. Less than five minutes after coming on, Simelane was stretchered off following a crude tackle from ‘D4D’, forcing Andile Gamedze to step up as a replacement.

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