MBABANE – Amawele claimed their first MTN Premier League victory of the season with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Celtics at Tambankulu Stadium yesterday.
This handed Batoze Bavume their second consecutive defeat. South African businessman and football administrator Chief Ally Kgomongwe serves as the director of the Msunduza-based outfit after buying the club’s status from Thando ‘Mangoza’ Shabangu.
South African forward Sibusiso ‘Manando’ Mokiti struck as early as the seventh minute to settle the encounter and deliver all three points to Kgomongwe’s side.
Mokiti, who joined Amawele from Limpopo ABC Motsepe League outfit FC SK, made an immediate impact, giving his new side a much-needed boost after a difficult start to the campaign.
The victory offers Amawele a chance to get their season back on track after suffering a 3-0 defeat to Ezulwini United in their opening match before falling 4-1 to Mbabane Highlanders AM. The latter result also spoiled former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siphelele Ntshangase’s debut.
Celtics, meanwhile, remain on one point from three matches. They opened their campaign with a draw against elite-league returnees Madlenya before suffering a 2-0 defeat to 10-man Green Mamba on Oct 2.
The latest setback leaves Sonnyboy Zitha’s charges with plenty to address as they seek their first victory of the season. They paraded Sakhile Ndlela, Zweli Sihlongonyane and Phiwokuhle ‘Skosh’ Shabangu, among others, against Amawele.
Amawele also handed former Mbabane Highlanders AM captain Vusi ‘Ramos’ Vilakati his opportunity to feature after securing his services. The defender was in action against Celtics.
Despite the victory, Amawele remain 11th on the MTN Premier League standings with three points from three matches, having scored twice and conceded seven goals. Celtics are 14th, also with three matches played, but have managed just one goal while conceding four.
The result gives Amawele a platform to rebuild their campaign, while Celtics must find a way to arrest their slide before the gap between them and the teams above widens.
The MTN Premier League Matchweek Three action continues today, with clubs battling for valuable points in a season offering E130 000 to the first-round winners and E1.185 million to the eventual league champions.
