‘KEEPER BANELE HERO AS ‘WESLIANS’ OUST MAMBA

Green Mamba….…...........….(0)0
Wanderers………............….. (0)0
(Wanderers win 3-2 after penalties)

LOBAMBA – Manzini Wanderers came to Somhlolo National Stadium dangling underdog nametags, but left the venue walking on a red carpet following a brave performance against Green Mamba yesterday.

The venue could be mistaken for a dance festival after the sound of lanky referee, Thulani Sibandze’s final whistle. The travelling supporters danced wildly as their favourite side cruised to the quarter-finals following a 3-2 penalty shoot-out win over last year’s runners-up, Green Mamba.

Still parading a new-look but brave side, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe’s charges did the unthinkable in front of their roaring supporters. Little known goalkeeper, Banele Dlamini, who signed from Red Lions during the January transfer window deadline had the Wanderers faithful eating out of the palm of his hands after making two saves during the penalty shoot-out.

The towering shot-stopper denied Banele ‘Makonese’ Dlamini and Paulo Suare while Thabiso Gumbi failed to locate the target. Only forward, Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe was denied by Green Mamba’s goalkeeper, Siyabonga Simelane, whose substitution was effected just before the ‘lottery’.

For a moment, the away side thought their worst fears could be confirmed following the forced substitution of the injured duo of centre-back in skipper Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya and talisman, Aladeon Kola.
Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga’s troops, who boast gold medals in 2004 and 2012, had exerted early pressure, but the opposition defence proved impenetrable for the entire opening period. However, Mxolisi’s grass-cutter from outside the box just before the break had caused a scare to Wanderers.

The teams still had nothing much to offer after the re-start, but Musa Dlamini got a glorious chance 17 minutes from time but opted to sky his effort from close range. The game lost momentum towards the end as Wanderers ‘parked the bus’ and the penalties were needed to separate the two sides. Following a dismal showing for Green Mamba during the ‘lottery’, there was no need for Wanderers to take the fifth penalty kick.

The maroon and white outfit marched to the last eight for the first time in two years to remain in pursuit of their first SwaziBank Cup title.

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