Nsingizini win maiden 1st round ‘carrot’

(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)

Nsingizini Hotspurs ……. (1) 1

Yeki 7^th

Rangers …………………….. (0) 0

NHLANGANO – The race for the first-round ‘carrot’ is over, and the gold remains in Shiselweni.

Defending MTN Premier League champions Nsingizini Hotspurs took a giant leap towards retaining their crown yesterday; defeating regional rivals Rangers 1-0 to secure a maiden first-round incentive in clinical style. The victory does more than just solidify their league lead; it secures a lucrative E120 000 prize for the Shiselweni giants, who have now officially succeeded previous winners Royal Leopard and Green Mamba.

The decisive blow was delivered by the reigning Player of the Season, Yeki ‘Madumane’ Khumalo, who found the net inside the opening 10 minutes. For the remaining 80 minutes, Rangers were left fruitlessly chasing shadows, unable to prevent the first-round title race from being settled before the final fixtures are even played.

The win for Mandla Qhogi’s charges, played out in front of a spirited crowd of approximately 3 000 fans, ensures that ‘Insingizi YeZulu’ are the champions-in-waiting for the first half of the campaign. They are expected to be officially crowned after their final first-round fixture against Mbabane Swallows next week.

The result keeps Hotspurs three points clear at the summit with 31 points. While Manzini Sea Birds cemented second spot after beating Malanti Chiefs to keep the pressure on, it proved insufficient to overtake the leaders. Even a loss in their next match would not displace Hotspurs, as they hold the crucial head-to-head advantage over their nearest rivals.

In what was a colourful, high-intensity Shiselweni derby, Hotspurs caught Rangers’ rearguard napping early on. Captain Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini broke clear from a throw-in and delivered a pinpoint cross for ‘Madumane’. The talismanic forward chipped the ball through a crowded, flat-footed defence to spark celebrations, while Rangers’ defenders stood frozen, unsuccessfully appealing for offside.

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