(At Simunye Stadium)
Leopard……………..0
Ezulwini……………..1
Evans 30th
SIMUNYE – Ezulwini United reignited their title aspirations with a dogged 1-0 victory over Royal Leopard in an MTN Premier League match played at yesterday.
The result ensured ‘Stingers’ completed a historic league double over the police side in the sweltering heat of Simunye Stadium.
Despite Leopard’s revenge narrative following a narrow November defeat, the hosts struggled to find their rhythm. Marquee signing Hleliso Gamedze endured a difficult full debut, appearing submerged by the soaring temperatures.
The match began cautiously, though Leopard thought they had drawn blood in the 22nd minute when Thembisa Shabangu’s header was ruled out for offside. Against the run of play, Ezulwini struck. In the 30th minute, Leopard’s defence stuttered while clearing their lines, allowing Evans Slokomela to sweep the ball home.
Leopard sought a spark after the interval, introducing Thokozani ‘Thikithi’ Dlamini for the ineffective Felix Badenhorst. The tactical shift nearly paid off in the 78th minute, but Ezulwini keeper Siyabonga Magagula produced a stunning point-blank save to deny ‘Thikithi’.
At the other end, Ezulwini’s debutant Pandemoya Tshamwinga missed a golden opportunity to double the lead, while Boniswa Gama forced a desperate late save from Leopard’s Ncamiso Dlamini in stoppage time.
Ezulwini held firm to secure three points, moving further ahead of Leopard in the standings on top of storming into the top four. A dejected Leopard Coach, Edwin Matsebula, simply remarked, “It wasn’t our day.” While Ezulwini look upward, Leopard must return to the drawing board after failing to exorcise the ghosts of November.
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