PIRATES IN CHARITY CUP SEMIS

(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)

Sundowns........................(0)0
 Pirates.............................(0)1
‘Spoko’ 45th

NHLANGANO – Debutant Vusumuzi ‘Spoko’ Mashaba’s lone strike was enough to earn Moneni Pirates a place in Sunday’s Swazi Telecom Charity Cup main tournament ahead of neighbours Manzini Sundowns yesterday.

Signed from Sikhalo, a football second-tier side, the 25- year-old was just what the doctor ordered for the black and white ensemble as he ended his new team’s seven-year jinx over the neighbours. The win in  the lukewarm play-off match at King Sobhuza II Stadium in Nhlangano ensured the ‘Sea Robbers’ returned to the main tournament for the first time since 2011. Pirates won the 2009 edition, beating Mbabane Highlanders 2-1 in the final courtesy of goals by Misasive Mamba (42nd minute) and Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane in the 79th minute. Highlanders striker Msizi Lukhele had levelled matters in the 63rd minute of the enthralling cup final.

reflex

Back to yesterday’s play-off, Pirates were denied a comfortable win following reflex saves from former development goalkeeper, Lwethu Simelane, who stepped into the shoes of Sanda Mathabela, who left for greener pastures at Mbabane Swallows. The missed chances did not matter at the end as Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini’s men got their name into the hat ahead of the semi-finals draw at Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC) Boardroom today at 1pm. The semi-final line-up is also made up of Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders and holders, Royal Leopard.

Sundowns, who were minus the duo of Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule and Darren ‘Dazza’ Christie, who are linked with a switch to Mbabane Highlanders and Matsapha United, respectively, were a shadow of the side that won back-to-back titles between 2011 and 2012 as they lacked the killer instinct.

The visitors, on the other hand, who also paraded a new-look side, were the hungriest of the two sides as their wing penetration did the trick and ‘Spoko’ fitted in their style of play like hand in a glove. Despite a less eventful opening period, they scored the decisive strike on the stroke of half time following a quick interchange of passes that left the defence in sixes and sevens. ‘Spoko’ broke free before beating Lwethu with a low shot from close range.

resumption

Pirates had come back stronger on resumption of play, with the woodwork twice coming to the rescue of the hosts while the young Sundowns goalkeeper wiped a deceptive ‘Spoko’ cross cum-shot to safety. Despite a late surge, Sundowns, who had their talisman, Justice Figureido, submerged, found the Pirates defence marshalled by Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane impenetrable.
The sound of female FIFA-accredited referee Leticia Viana’s final whistle confirmed new Sundowns gaffer, Ernest Mavuso’s worst fears as his charges crashed out in the first hurdle.

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