MALANTI CLOSE IN ON MATSAPHA UTD

Malanti...................................... (1)2
Gomez 1st, Bhekisisa 90+1
Madlenya.................................. (0)0

LOBAMBA – Malanti Chiefs are now breathing heavily down leaders Matsapha United’s neck following a hard fought 2-0 win over Madlenya yesterday.

Goals from talisman, Gomezgane Gondwe and the equally seasoned Bhekisisa Shongwe helped Mduduzi ‘Sikhalo’ Nxumalo’s troops to cut Matsapha’s lead to one point.
It was Gondwe who set the tone for a flawless outing for the former Premier League outfit, squeezing the ball past a forest of legs as early as the first minute following the opposition’s clumsy defending during the tightly-contested MTN National First Division League clash played at Somhlolo National Stadium

Madlenya, boasting the experience of on-loan Young Buffaloes forward, Bheki Shongwe, had tried to regroup after the setback. Their chances in the opening period were headlined by Sibusiso Mamba’s strike on the stroke of half-time. His attempt was rightfully ruled out for offside by referee Thembinkosi Dlamini after Mamba tapped in from a rebound after an initial Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula attempt. However, the visitors had nothing to show for the close to half a dozen attempts during the break.
While the game became less eventful after the re-start, the introduction of forward Jules Okouba put Malanti under more pressure at the back.

Some of the less than 50 fans had to start to walk out of the stadium when Malanti timely doubled their advantage through an unfamiliar source in Shongwe. The latter, who was unmarked at the edge of the box, pounced on a loose ball as the Lubombo-based side stuttered in the box, struggling to clear their lines. His grass-cutter squeezed between the legs of debutant and former Buffaloes Under-20 goalkeeper, Mndeni Lukhele.  It was a goal that ensured Malanti cemented second spot with 31 points in 14 attempts, completing a double after winning the reverse fixture 4-0.

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