Times Of Swaziland: ‘MAGAWUGAWU’S 3RD GOAL OF  SEASON STEERS BUCS TO THIRD WIN

‘MAGAWUGAWU’S 3RD GOAL OF  SEASON STEERS BUCS TO THIRD WIN
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BY LWAZI DLAMINI on 13/10/2017 00:23:00


Sports Editor
Red Lions................................(0) 0,
Moneni Pirates.........................(1)1,
Magawugawu 40th
MANZINI – Influential Moneni Pirates captain, Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane
is leading by example.
His third goal of the season here on Wednesday night, against Red Lions, scored
five minutes before half time, steered the Moneni Buccaneers to their third win
of the 2017/18 MTN Premier League season.
Simelane converted a penalty awarded by referee, Mbongiseni Fakudze in the 40th
minute after Red Lions defender, Thami Zulu handled a shot by left winger Sihle
Ndaba inside the box. The Moneni Buccaneers skipper sent Red Lions goalkeeper,
Jim Knowledge the wrong way to add to the two goals he had scored against Vovovo
FC in the opening day of the season on September 8 at Somhlolo National Stadium,
and against Manzini Sundowns on September 16 at the self-same Mavuso Sports
Centre.
Pirates should have opened the scoring account in the 13th minute when
midfielder Biko Sibandze shot straight to the goalkeeper after breaking free
from a static Red Lions defence.
‘Amabhubesi’, as Red Lions are affectionately known, almost found an
equaliser in the 42nd minute when Pirates goalkeeper, Siyabonga Zwane failed to
handle a simple shot by Muntu Mamba, which hit the post.
Both Pirates and Red Lions played well below par as play was centred around the
belly of the park with few penetrative moves which yielded mainly wayward shots
and lack of inventiveness in the final third.
But referee Mbongiseni Fakudze found himself in another controversial scenario
in the 66th minute, when Pirates winger Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba was tripped by
Red Lions defender, Ntokozo Mabila inside the box but the experienced match
official failed to award the penalty. Instead he gave Pirates a free kick on the
edge of the 18-area box when the incident had clearly happened right inside the
box, leaving the Pirates supporters tearing their hair in frustration.