‘DAZZA’ STRIKE SINKS 10-MAN PIRATES 1-0

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Sundowns………… (1)1
‘Dazza’ 13th
Pirates…………….. (0)0

LOBAMBA – A lone strike by dazzling winger Darren ‘Dazza’ Christie steered Manzini Sundowns to their second straight Ingwenyama Cup semi-finals appearance at the expense of a 10-man Moneni Pirates yesterday.

It took 13 minutes for the former Mbabane Swallows winger to decide the dramatic quarter-final clash which was headlined by the sending off of Pirates defender, Njabulo Shongwe, in the 21st minute at Somhlolo National Stadium. The goal further set a date between Sundowns and Swallows in the last four again following a draw conducted during half time of the game. The capital city giants, who were the champions, convincingly won the semi-finals fixture by 5-2 in the past year.

The visitors, who are known for their entertaining football, had themselves to blame after squandering countless chances, especially after the re-start. They were on the front foot during the early exchanges until ‘Dazza’ drove home the opener against the run of play from close range. He was set up by Sandumuzi Zwane following a quick interchange of passes, channelling his effort to the far post.

Pirates, who had lost 2-3 in the November 5 league meeting  in the past year,  had tried to respond quickly, with ‘Fash’ denied by Sandumuzi Zwane after he found an opening from the edge of the box.
The roaring visiting supporters who crammed the North stand were stunned into silence when their favourite side was dealt another blow. Shongwe grabbed a goal-bound Justice Figureido just outside the box and top female referee Leticia Viana did not hesitate to brandish a straight red card. The gifted defender had no intention to play the ball when he committed the professional foul.

However, the incident was enough to cause a scramble for the Laws of the Game manuscript among the hundreds of away spectators at the venue as they felt the referee, who was escorted out of the field by police officers, was harsh.  The black and white ensemble, who had failed to beat Sundowns in the last five attempts, trailed by the lone strike at the break.

Pirates had thrown all into attack on resumption of play while Sundowns’ endurance was questionable. Midfielder Junior Magagula headed his effort from  a Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba cross straight into Sandanezwe’s hands in the 72nd minute while his devilish shot 11 minutes later forced  the Sundowns shot-stopper to make a double save on the goal line. Tournament leading goalscorer Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, who is on seven goals, opted to sky his effort with only the goalkeeper to beat two minutes from time. It was the last throw of the dice for Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini’s troops who had to endure exiting in the last eight for the second year in a row. They lost 1-3 to Swallows in the inaugural edition last year.

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