TAMBUTI STUNNED IN 3-2 MATSAPHA UTD COMEBACK

Matsapha Utd.......................(1) 3
Zivai 45th, 62nd, Sifiso 52nd
Tambuti FC...........................(2) 2
Ugochukwu 13th, Samkeliso 23rd
 
MANZINI – What a great comeback by Matsapha United! Their sugar-belt rivals Tambuti must be cursing their gods after giving away a comfortable 2-0 lead in an exciting MTN Premier League tie at Mavuso Sports Centre.

The comeback trail started at the stroke of half time when it looked as though it would break with the 2-0 lead for the visitors. Seven minutes into second half they levelled matters. Just Tambuti were still shocked, it was 3-2 in favour of the home side. And what a goal to take the lead! Zimbabwean striker Zivai Yerenga let fly a stunner into the far corner as the ball ricochet off the upright into the net.

Goalkeeper Mbongeni Motsa who had closed the near post angle could only watch the rasping shot settle in the top corner. The striker hit it after making it into the box on the left and saw the angle, unleashed a powerful shot no keeper could handle that strike.

It had taken Tambuti 13 minutes to go in front thanks to a penalty conceded after defender Sifiso Maseko handled his own clearance inside the box. Ugochukwu stepped forward to slot it in before lanky striker Samkeliso Dlamini beat defender Sikelela ‘Djemba’ Dlamini to a cross to nod home, beating the keeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala in the 23rd.

Tambuti deservedly took the lead as they dominated play but went to sleep in the last five minutes of the first half, letting Matsapha back into it with a clinical tap-in by former Malanti Chiefs’ Zimbabwean striker Zivai Yerenga.

He pounced onto a neat low cross by winger Sphamandla Dlamini who took on defender Thobani Dlamini right to the box before picking the scorer in the 45th minute.

Just as they finished, Matsapha who had introduced the experienced Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina were strongest in the opening stages after the break.
They should have got at least a penalty when Sphamandla was twice hacked from behind inside the box.

Nonetheless, Matsapha kept pressing and got the equaliser through Sifiso Maseko who finished off from six yards following a right wing corner into the box. Watched by less than 200 fans dominated by Matsapha, Tambuti threw away a great chance to stay out of the relegation zone especially after Red Lions win on Saturday. With five games remaining, it will be an interesting one at the bottom while Matsapha also try to gatecrash the top four where Manzini Wanderers are the team they should take out if anything now. Wanderers are fourth but six points behind Green Mamba in third place.

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