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‘SIKHALI’ PIERCES STARS

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LOBAMBA - Free entry, full stadium, fastest goals, a quadruple and a remarkable victory for Mbabane Swallows in the Total CAF Confederation Cup 2017.

It took just five minutes to send South Africa’s PSL side Platinum Stars packing at the filled to the brim Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday - no way out!
Just as the stage was set, the crowd on their side, striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa pounced like a thief at night.
He was on target as early as the 3rd minute after a second effort from an impressive Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s deflected shot.

The ball landed on Ndzinisa’s feet but as he tried to shoot he miscued before finishing it off with the keeper ball watching as they anticipated an offside call that never came - the Zimbabwean referee was close by he simply gave the goal much to the amusement of the over 10 000 fans. Television replays showed it was a genuine goal.
Two minutes later he was back with a fine near post header from a Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko right wing corner kick.

Platinum soon found their rhythm and asked the first question just after the quarter hour mark but keeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza punched out a troublesome Robert Ngambi free header. However, Benson Shilongo got the better of Ginindza in the 19th minute when he scored from the spot kick following a penalty he won after being tripped in the box by defender Siphamandla Matsenjwa.
Platinum got a second penalty just before the break but winger Abia Nale saw it saved back into play by Ginindza to ensure Swallows had the half-time advantage.
The second half was drama-filled with all the action as the two went for each other’s neck but Swallows stood resolute and their keeper was fantastic.

Needing that killer goal to calm Dikwena, Swallows got it in the 62nd minute and once again the phenomenal Ndzinisa was the scorer before putting the final nail in Stars’ coffin in the 77th minute with a thunderous out-of-the-box stinger to beat the advancing keeper to complete his quadruple of goals.
He was unlucky not to get a fifth when substitute Sandile Hlatshwako crossed for him but his volley from just outside the six-yard box came off the bar with the keeper at sea.
However, Stars were not done as they managed yet another penalty at the death, which Shilongo converted.
Stars finished the match a man down after a straight red for defender Siphiwe Sithole, who denied Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko a clear-cut scoring opportunity just before he was rested with under 10 minutes left before full-time.
In the end it was three points to Swallows, who now must shift focus to the domestic league grand closing clash with capital city rivals Mbabane Highlanders tomorrow.

 

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