IT’S WANDER-FUL!

BY BHEKISISA MAGONGO

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Wanderers............................ (1) 1
Kola 22nd
Highlanders.......................... (0) 0

LOBAMBA – You may call it a massive win if you like.  But the reality is that yesterday’s 1-0 win over Mbabane Highlanders was worth more than the precious three points for Nyanga ‘Crocks’ Hlophe and his Manzini Wanderers charges.

Besides being considered a perfect revenge for the ill-fated first round 4-1 demolition at the hands of the ‘Black Bull’, the three points lifted the maroon and white side closer to the title-chasing pack of Mbabane Swallows and Young Buffaloes. At 27 points, the hub giants are now within seven points of leaders Mbabane Swallows who were held 1-all by second-placed Young Buffaloes later in the afternoon yesterday.

Highlanders supporters left the stadium baying for the blood of assistant referee Thembinkosi Magagula who they felt denied them possible equalisers twice, when he adjudged Michael Musonda and Frank Antwi to have strayed offside.

The incident provoked their fury as they threw all sorts of objects in sheer frustration into the field, forcing referee Mbongiseni Fakudze to stop play for about four minutes. The situation was eventually calmed down by the club’s marshals and some officials.
The ‘Weslians’ had taken a first half lead through Nigerian forward Aledeon Kola who smashed from the back post a lofted cross by the vastly improved Sicelo ‘Junior’ Simelane, 22 minutes into the game.

It was a well deserved lead for the club after dominating the first half, with Mike Dombo causing the opposition defence all sorts of problems. Kola was also putting pressure on the central pairing of Simphiwe Manana and Mncedisi Dlamini forcing them to commit errors. 
Kola should have scored a minute before the goal, when from a corner kick his header was cleared off the line by Manana and from the poor clearance, ‘Junior’ delivered the cross that resulted in the goal.

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