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M. WANDERERS’ SIFISO SINKS BUCS IN DERBY

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(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

Pirates................................. (0)1
Mbuso 90th
Wanderers.......................... (1)2
Sifiso 23rd, 73rd

MANZINI – A brace by veteran forward Sifiso Matse propelled Manzini Wanderers to the top eight on the charts at the expense of neighbours, Moneni Pirates, following a 2-1 win here yesterday. 


As the football season was now properly getting into gear, there was more than bragging rights at stake when the stuttering Wanderers made a short trip to Mavuso Sports Centre to visit their equally inconsistent opponents for the MTN Premier League round seven match-up. Wanderers, who welcomed back influential skipper, Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya, from injury, needed only 50 minutes to put the opposition to the sword.


Despite a late surge and a last-gasp strike by Pirates substitute, Mbuso Mabuza, Wanderers coach, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe was the happier of the two coaches as his troops finally celebrated having double figures in their points tally. They have jumped from the 11th to the eighth spot with 10 points. The maroon and white outfit are now breathing heavily down Pirates’ neck, who are only ahead on superior goal difference.


Wanderers, inspired by the duo of the potent Aladeon Kola, and ball-juggler, Mike Dombo, had dominated the early exchanges, but stuttered in the box when they were supposed to pull the trigger. Pirates, on the other hand, were like a song sung out of tune,
 It took a composed Matse to break the deadlock when the game was 23 minutes old after a Dombo assist in the box.  Pirates goalkeeper, Siyabonga Zwane, had allowed a cross from Lihle Shabangu to slip from his hands. A grateful Dombo connected the ball to set up the Sihlangu striker with a neat pass.


By the half-hour mark Pirates, who had their talisman, Sihle Ndaba submerged, had still not found their rhythm and coach, Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini, sacrificed Biko Sibandze for the equally ineffective Lindani Matsenjwa. Wanderers took the narrow lead to the break, but had to survive the black and white’s ensemble onslaught on resumption of play.  From an attack against the run of play, Wanderers doubled their advantage through Matse, who celebrated a rare brace after beating Zwane with a low shot after a Kola pass 17 minutes from time.

 

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