SHANA-LISING ‘WESLIANS’

Leopard ......................(0)0
Wanderers ..................(0)1
‘Shana’ 74th

LOBAMBA – A lone strike by Manzini Wanderers dependable skipper Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya was enough to steer his side past a rigid Royal Leopard here yesterday.

With league title contenders Mbabane Swallows and Young Buffaloes all firing blanks in stalemates against Green Mamba and Manzini Sundowns respectively the maroon and white outfit stole the show with the famous win against the police side that boasted a better head-to-head record.

Wanderers, who had won only twice in the last nine attempts against Leopard, made a bold statement about leaving a mark in their remaining games, as they cemented the fourth spot with 38 points.

Wanderers could be involved in a photo-finish with fellow heavyweights Mbabane Highlanders in the race to finish in the top four. The latter are now fifth with 34 points after condemning Red Lions to relegation with a 3-0 win in a curtain-raiser yesterday.
It took a 74th minute glancing header from ‘Shana’ to shake off the wilful opponents, who had done enough to at least salvage a draw from the tightly-contested clash played before an animated crowd at Somhlolo National Stadium.

Leopard, who dropped from the sixth to the seventh spot with 33 points, had paraded a new-look team, as they made more than five changes from the side that lost 1-2 to Mbabane Swallows in the Ingwenyama Cup final on March 25. The trio of Junior Magagula, Mlamuli Msibi and Sifiso Matse that was Cup-tied returned to the starting team while goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini got a nod between the sticks ahead of Phephisani Msibi. Identical twins Fanelo and Lungelo Tsabedze also made the cut.
The changes did little to derail the side, and they were a match for the opponents, who had failed to beat Leopard in three previous attempts.

However, the police outfit had to survive an early scare from the visitors, as ‘Shana’ had brought the best out of ‘Mbhonyo’, following a Ali Matse supply in the fifth minute. It was the only meaningful chance of the tightly-contested opening period.
Both sides were still goal-shy on resumption of play, as it looked like they would settle for another goalless stalemate. By the hour-mark, both teams had failed to manage at least half a dozen attempts between themselves.

Wanderers had relied mainly on their wing play, as the Leopard defence proved impenetrable, while the home team’s defenders’ also stood firm. Trusted Leopard forward Barry Steenkamp overstayed his welcome on the field of play.

From a swift attack, Kola Aladeon brought the best out of ‘Mbhonyo’ with a curled effort in the 71st minute. Three minutes later, the maroon and white outfit’s loyalists were on their feet, as ‘Shana’ headed home from close range from a devilish  Sicelo ‘Junior’ Simelane cross to bring his tally for the season to 10. ‘Junior’ had benefitted from a Mike Dombo short pass from a corner kick. Kola broke free a minute later, but steered his effort wide.

Leopard tried to respond 10 minutes later through substitute Phumlani Shabangu, who saw his venomous shot parried to safety by goalkeeper Romanis Igidimba. Dombo also asked a question in the 85th minute with a long range effort, which proved to be the last throw of the dice.

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