DEFENDING CHAMPS ELALUKENI PRIMARY BOW OUT IN SEMIS

Matsapha Govt Primary.........(3)3
Siyabonga Mnisi 11th, 21st, Vunokuhle Dube 23rd
Elulakeni Primary..................(0)1
Machawe Sithole 65th

MANZINI – Elulakeni Primary’s dream to defend their title was shattered by last year’s runners-up Matsapha Government Primary.

It was near yet so far for the Shiselweni-based school as they were thrashed 3-1 by the impressive Matsapha-based school in the semi-finals. The latter were denied the opportunity to lift the trophy last year as they were beaten 5-6 by Elulakeni Primary.

Matsapha Government Primary striker Siyabonga Mnisi was the hero as he scored a brace to drive his side to the finals where they will clash horns with Mabondwini Primary who brushed aside Black Mbuluzi 2-0 in the other semi-finals. Vunokuhle Dube scored the third goal while Machawe Sithole scored the solitary goal for the visitors.

Coming to the game, it started on a low note with both teams failing to break the deadlock. It was until the 11th minute where the Mnisi opened the scores chart. He unleashed a volley from the left flank to beat Elulakeni Primary’s goalkeeper Thabiso Mamba.

The hosts doubled matters through the undoubtedly man of the match Siyabonga Mnisi who tormented the opposition defenders. This time around he benefited from a goal-mouth scramble to make it 2-0 in the 21th minute.

Matsapha’s Vunokhle Dube put the game out of the defending champions’ reach two minutes later through his long strike to make it 3-0.However the opponents came back strong as they pulled one home through striker Machawe Sithole in the 65th minute.

With just three minutes to go Elulakeni’s nightmare got from better to worse as Celimpilo Mamba was given marching orders following a rough tackle on Ncedo Dlamini.It was a little bit too late as the referee blew the final whistle, which was nightmarish for Elulakeni as they bowed out of the richly sponsored under-13 tournament.

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