Times Of Swaziland: DOWN TO THE WIRE!

DOWN TO THE WIRE!
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BY PHOLSILE HLOPHE on 15/05/2019 00:26:00


(At Big Bend)
Tambuti.......(0) 0
G. Mamba....(0) 1
Mxolisi 49th
MAYALUKA – Like all the biggest leagues in the world, the winners of the
2018/19 MTN League will be decided on the final day of the season on Sunday.
A 49th minutes goal by Green Mamba’s Mxolisi Mkhontfo, in a 1-0 win over
Tambuti here last night left the title race on the knife-edge as long time
leaders Royal Leopard dropped two points in a one-1-all draw with Matsapha
United.
Last night’s results left the two armed forces sides tied on 55 points,
separated by a healthy goal difference of three with the curtain set to fall on
Sunday on what has been a gripping league title race in years.
Leopard faces Young Buffaloes on Sunday while Green Mamba takes on Mbabane
Highlanders in the grand closing matches.
The Caleb Ngwenya charges took control of the game in the second half after the
first half ended in a goalless draw.  Both teams missed numerous chances in the
first half and Tambuti’s Mbusiseni Motsa sighed in disbelief after missing a
clear shot inside the box in a face to face showdown against goal keeper Mxolisi
Manana.
Intensity
The game’s intensity escalated in the second half, Mkhontfo scored from
outside the box, releasing a power shot which saw Tambuti keeper Mlamuli
Makhanya seeing grey. The goal was solo driven as the player stretched his paces
from the centre line, displaying immaculate dribbling skills and fearlessly
released a rocket shot into the top right of the box into the back of the net.
Mamba proved dominant over the sugar belt boys, playing fast paced long balls
and eager to stretch their lead.
Fighting
The pressure was on for Tambuti, who are still fighting to shy relegation and
their goal attempts did not see the light of day. They seemed to be chasing
shadows for the better part of the second half and an 80th minute strike by
Zwakele Dlamini flew over the post, to the disappointment of the close to 200
Tambuti fans.
Two minutes before the final whistle, Siboniso Shiba also tried his luck but
suffered a similar fate and missed a clear shot that went to the side of the
net.
The game ended in 1-0 score in favour of Green Mamba.