Football

Manzini Wanderers .............0

Amawele ...............................2

Mpaza 31^st, Maphanga 71^st

MANZINI — Rookies Amawele kept their hopes of retaining Premier League status alive after snatching a 2-0 win over Manzini Wanderers to leapfrog Malanti Chiefs in the standings.

The win saw Amawele climb out of the automatic drop zone, handing them a lifeline in the form of a promotion/relegation play-off spot.

Their fate now hangs in the balance, as Malanti required a win in their final fixture against Moneni Pirates to cement 13^th place.

This position offers a stay of execution via a play-off against three teams from the MulaSport National First Division (NFD) which will be known once the lower division league ends.

For the fallen hub giants, the result was academic. Already resigned to their fate after a historic and dismal campaign that yielded 23 defeats, this match was merely another nail in a coffin that had been sealed weeks ago. Sisonkhe and Malanti are the other teams that have been automatically axed in top-flight league.

Back into the match, the opening exchanges were a balanced, cagey affair, with both sides failing to find a cutting edge.

However, the deadlock was broken just after the half-hour mark when Amawele’s Mpaza curled a delightful effort into the far corner to draw first blood.

‘Weslains’ nearly hit back instantly. Three minutes later, Andile Gamedze looked certain to level the score, but Banele Sikhondze pulled off a magnificent save, stretching to his full length to tip the ball over the bar.This saw them head into the break with their noses in front, sensing that a potential escape was within their grasp.

After the restart, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe turned the screw, pinning ‘Tamshana’ back in their own half as they looked to dash the visitors’ dreams.

The introduction of veteran Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko added a touch of class to the Wanderers attack, as ‘Crooks’ men threw the kitchen sink at the opposition, but they lacked a clinical finish in the final third.

With the game on a knife-edge, Amawele delivered a sucker punch. With 19 minutes remaining, Maphanga doubled their advantage, finding the net with a long-range effort from a set-piece to give his side breathing room.

However, tensions boiled over in the dying embers of the match. Deep into stoppage time, Wanderers conceded a set-piece on the edge of the penalty area, sparking an outburst from the hosts’ players, coaching staff and their handful of disgruntled supporters.

At the final whistle, police had to escort the match officials into the dressing room as some players and officials bayed for their blood.

Amawele players celebrate their first goal against Wanderers during their MTN Premier League game played at the Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday. The rookies are now safely off to the promotion and relegation play-offs after securing a 2-0 victory, while Malanti Chiefs failed to cement their position in 13th place. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)