‘SHANA’, DOMBO KEEP WESLIANS ALIVE IN THE ‘DEEP BLUE OCEAN’

Wanderers...... (1)2
Lwazi 33rd, Mike 49th
Matsapha....... (2)2
Siphamandla 14th, Zivai 23rd

LOBAMBA – After only 23 minutes, Manzini Wanderers were sinking in the ‘Deep Blue Ocean’. However, as often happens, Captain and midfielder Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya and in form winger Mike Dombo kept their club alive when it all looked gloomy after a very poor first half.

This was in the MTN League clash against Matsapha United at Somhlolo National Stadium before more or less 3 000 fans.
Matsapha, who are renowned as the Deep Blue Ocean, had a one-sided affair in the first half and should have gone to the break comfortably ahead than the 2-1 but missed a host of chances. Their talented South African winger Siphamandla Dlamini found the back of the net after early rounding off his marker Lihle Shabangu and put the ball past the keeper Romanus Igidimba.

As Wanderers chased shadows with the rivals coming in thick and fast with their exciting passing football blended with pace and skill, it was soon 2-0. Zimbabwean striker Zivai Verenga was on target again after a good move from the right wing, scoring into the far corner of the net with the ’keeper having no chance at all.

However, Wanderers made a change, bringing on midfielder Michael Asamoah for a struggling Lihle Shabangu at the back. This just seemed the right tonic for the Weslians whose grandstand was as quiet you could here a pin drop. Within a few minutes of his introduction in the last 10 of the half, he was already making an impact with his passes all over the pitch and linked the whole team.

It was no surprise when he picked Dombo on the left flank who beat his man and crossed into the area for Maziya to nicely volley it into the back of the net - even Zinedine Zidane would have liked it.
Matsapha showed signs of cracking and finished the half suddenly under pressure.

The second half was an open one but Wanderers started the better side. They showed hunger and pressed Matsapha who had to rest Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina who had a good first half before tiring in the scorching temperatures.
Dombo, who won the Man of the Match Award, finished off a move he had initiated from deep in the left flank right to the box where he played one-two with Kola Aladeon before beating Khanyakwezwe Shabalala with a low shot into the far corner of the net to spark a wave of joy at the Wanderers grandstand that was already cheering them on.

In the end, it was a draw that is certainly not good for both sides given that Wanderers are chasing the third spot while Matsapha also want the top four finish with four games to spare.

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