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5-STAR MAMBA TOO STRONG FOR MALANTI

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(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
G.Mamba…....5
Malanti............1


MANZINI – Malanti Chiefs failed to record dream debut in the EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup following a 1-5 thrashing by a ‘trigger happy’ Green Mamba.


Debutant Linda Nkambule, as well as the quartet of former Eswatini international Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, Mphumuzi Ginindza, Banele ‘Banny’ Mdluli and Man of the Match Mcolisi Mkhontfo, were all on target to easily shake off the hapless opposition in the one-sided Charity Cup play-off match at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.


Malanti had brought a ‘knife to a gunfight’, as they had no proven target man upfront following the departure of South Africa-born import Charles Molopo. Their ‘dead rubber’ goal was scored by Bhekisisa Shongwe from the penalty spot late in the second half. It proved to be a consolation. The Pigg’s Peak-based ensemble had paraded a thin squad and had no reserve goalkeeper to deputise for Mduduzi Shongwe.


The home side, which was watched by team boss Isaiah Mzuthini Ntshangase, were in no compromising mood as the former Manzini Sundowns striker (Nkambule) had set the tone for a great outing with a tap-in from a Mkhontfo supply in the box when the game was two minutes old.

 


Malanti had no response by the half-hour mark, while Green Mamba wasted chances to double their tally. ‘Xavi’, who is target of South Africa’s National First Division side Stellenbosch, was casual in front of goal.
However,  ‘Xavi’ eventually made amends for his early blushes six minutes from the break with the slightest of touches from a Thabo Mngometulu devilish cross from the right wing. Caleb Ngwenya’s men took the two-goal cushion to the interval.
Malanti, who were led by former RSSC coach Manuel Moiane, were further derailed in their bid to reduce the deficit as they were trailing by 3-0 immediately on resumption of play. Substitute Muhle Shiba’s corner kick was connected by Ginindza with an easy tap-in in the 46th minute.


Nine minutes later, ‘Banny’ shook off the defence to beat the goalkeeper with a low shot, putting the game beyond the opposition’s reach. By the hour mark, the pendulum still swung in Mamba’s favour, with their goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi underemployed between the sticks. However, towards the end, Malanti played with intent, with Senzo Dlamini bringing the best of Mkhulisi in the 74th minute. A minute later, Banele Dlamini was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box and Shongwe made no mistake from 12 yards out.

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