TALENT MISSES PENALTY AS CITIZENS TAME LIONS

PIGG’S PEAK – Premier league strugglers, Red Lions’ miserable campaign continues unabated after being eliminated in the Ingwenyama Cup by National First Division side Mbabane Citizens.

A decisive penalty kick miss by Zimbabwe-born import Talent Maposa proved too costly for the relegation-threatened ‘Amabhubesi’, as they crashed out - losing 3-4 on penalties. The teams had failed to score during regulation time of a sleep-inducing showdown at Killarney Sports Ground in Pigg’s Peak yesterday. When the inevitable happened, Citizens missed one penalty kick through Vusi Hlandze. For Lions, Talent hit the woodwork while teammate Thami Zulu completely missed the target. Red Lions coach Mlamuli ‘Sputla’ Zwane remained rooted on his seat long after the final whistle had gone, while the unbeaten National First Division log leaders players sprinted across the field of play in celebration. For Lions, the result was also a sad reminder of their disastrous campaign after winning only one match in 18 attempts in all competitions.

Both halves were less enterprising, as the teams were sloppy, but Red Lions almost stole a late winner through Mthokosizi Hlatshwako, whose goal-bound rocket was parried to safety by goalkeeper Sandile ‘Onyango’ Dlamini on the stroke of full-time. However, Citizens also managed to get into the opposition’s last third on resumption of play, but failed to pull the trigger. It was Mancoba Vilakati who was guilty of stuttering when he needed to shoot. Citizens, who are unbeaten in 14 matches in all competitions, tightened the back door towards the end to take the game to penalties. Finding the back of the net from 12 yards out were former Manzini Wanderers winger Tawana Chikore, Sikhulile Sekgotho, Samkeliso Dlamini, as well as Senzo Dlamini, who was back to haunt his former employers.

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