(At Prince of Wales Sports Ground)
Ezulwini United……..(0) 0
Green Mamba……….(1) 2
Gusheshe 24th, ‘Sikhali ’90+4
MBABANE – A clinical Green Mamba side brought their four-match winless drought to a definitive end yesterday, securing a hard-fought 2-0 away victory over Ezulwini United.
The result marks the visitors’ first taste of success since late January and catapults them into fifth in the MTN Premier League standings on 32 points, leapfrogging United, who now sit seventh.
Under the cool skies of the Prince of Wales Sports Ground, the ‘Inyok’eluhlazane’ showed their teeth early in this pulsating Week 21 encounter. Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane provided the breakthrough in the 24th minute, producing a composed finish to separate the sides.
Ezulwini, nicknamed the Stingers, fought valiantly to parity. Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini proved a constant nuisance, but he found his path repeatedly blocked by a defensive wall marshalled by Sibongakonkhe Silenge. In the middle of the park, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze schemed to release Kwanele Shongwe, but the rearguard remained disciplined, forcing the hosts into wide, unproductive areas.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead before the interval when Mlungisi ‘50’ Mamba unleashed a powerful drive from distance, but referee Mciniseli Sithole soon blew for half-time with Bongani Mhlongo’s men holding a slender 1-0 advantage.
The second-half began with renewed intensity, as Alvin Shabashie spurned a golden opportunity to level, seeing his effort smothered by Siyabonga Simelane. At the other end, Silenge might have put the game to bed earlier, but he uncharacteristically lofted a set-piece over the crossbar.
As the hosts threw caution to the wind, Peter ‘Beast’ Dlamini was forced into several vital interceptions to deny ‘Smoothies’ once more. The tactical masterstroke of the afternoon, however, belonged to Mhlongo. The introduction of veteran talisman Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu added fresh impetus to the Mamba attack.
That substitution paid dividends in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Ndlovu rose highest to flick on a header, allowing ‘Sikhali’ to apply the finishing touch and kill off the contest.
Despite a late surge from Musa Manyatsi’s charges, the Mamba defence held firm to condemn Ezulwini to their fourth consecutive match without a win, with the losing coach cursing the match officials.
Leave a comment