(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Nsingizini……………………..0
Scottland………………………0
(Scottland won 1-0 on aggregate)
LOBAMBA – It was so near yet so far as Nsingizini Hotspurs crashed out of their CAF campaign yesterday despite no goals scored.
This was during a TotalEnergies Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League decider staged under clear Somhlolo National Stadium skies yesterday afternoon before a sizable crowd of spectators.
Among the dignitaries were Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu with part of his Executive Committee members, Nsingizini President Derrick Shiba and Scottland high-profile figures to name a few.
Following the result, Scottland advanced to the next round by a 1-0 aggregate.
suffered a blackout
Notably, the giant screen required by CAF suffered a blackout the entire match.
Under CAF guidelines, this giant screen is legally considered part of the stadium’s public address (PA) system, meaning it must also be capable of delivering emergency public announcements and safety messages to spectators.
The atmosphere around this venue was already electric by 10am as Scottland spectators clocked in all the way from Zimbabwe.
Earlier reports had indicated that the club’s gold magnate in flamboyant Zimbabwean boss Pedzai ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya hired about 10 buses to arrive in numbers and rally behind their team.
Elsewhere, Nsingizini fans also landed in their numbers, leaving competition among both teams’ supporters who were dressed to the nines.
This was a high-stakes match as victory placed each side 180 minutes away from clinching over E6 million guaranteed to clubs reaching the group stages.
South African tactician Mandla Qhogi’s men needed at least two goals while hoping the opposite side did not pull one back.
Meanwhile, Norman Mapeza had to work on holding the narrow 1-0 lead secured last Sunday at the revamped National Sports Stadium in Zimbabwe.
unusual scenes
Tensions simmered around the Nsingizini-Scottland fixture ahead of this clash, with unusual scenes adding intrigue ahead of the return leg. Scottland players arrived at Somhlolo National Stadium in several vehicles instead of the hired classic bus intended to transport them.
The bus arrived later, when training had already started, carrying only officials.
Sources indicated that the visitors had also expressed reservations about the route from their base at the Hilton Garden Inn, while media access for training pictures proved difficult despite the CAF 15-minute allowance.
made one change
Qhogi had made one change to his starting line-up, replacing Siyabonga Mkhonto with Sandziso Masuku. On the other hand, Mapeza opted for five changes, with Eswatini international Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala and Khama Billiat among some starting on the bench.
On the field of play, Moses Shidolo was released into acres of space inside the box into the 10th minute, but he took a moment too long to pull the trigger, and when he finally got another chance, the Nsingizini backline of Luyanda Nhlengetfwa and Sinenkosi ‘China’ Dlamini threw themselves in the way.
Reversely, Quality ‘Mashimeni’ Dlamini tried to find Njongo ‘Jakalazi’ Mazibuko, but the Scottland defence cleared before he could reach the ball.
Into the 40th minute, Al-Almeen Tijani unbelievably surged forward, gliding past two defenders and bursting into captain Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini’s box.
He laid the ball off for Neville Tengeg and the shot came in but missed by a whisker. Two minutes later, Nsingizini’s Mvuselelo Mthethwa failed to tap in with the goal wide open, with Nelson Chadya having missed an opportunity to make a save.
As a result, matters remained level and goalless when Malagasy referee Andrisoa Zafimahatoha signalled for the breather.
fresh legs gelled well
After the restart, Emmanuel Sarpong with fresh legs gelled well with Mashimeni, and the latter found Bongiswa ‘Pumba’ Dlamini, but Chadya swiftly saved the ball.
Conversely, Msebe’s cross latched onto Tengeg’s head, but the shot landed above the crossbar.
Seven minutes after the hour mark, Nsingizini finally pulled one back through Sarpong as the Scottland backline left cracks, but the second Malagasy linesman cancelled the goal due to an offside infringement.
Scottland replacement and legend Khama Billiat ruined an opportunity for a goal by opting to give his teammate a chance as the ball was diverted and eventually reached Thwala in the dying minutes of the match.
The Eswatini international took a chance from the left flank but hit straight into the upright. With their last remaining efforts, Nsingizini earned a free-kick taken by Mashimeni, but it amounted to nothing. The two sides remained tied when the final whistle was blown.
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