LANGWE’S FREE KICK HANDS MALANTI FIRST WIN

Sports Editor
(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Mnz. Sundowns..............(0) 0,
Malanti Chiefs................(0) 1,
Langwe 53rd

LOBAMBA – A stupendous 53rd minute free kick by former South Africa’s Bidvest Wits University winger Asive Langwe was enough to hand Malanti Chiefs their first win of the 2018/19 MTN league here yesterday.

In a typically bend-it-like-Beckham free kick, Langwe’s sweetly struck free kick left Manzini Sundowns goalkeeper, Lwethu Simelane gasping for thin air as the Pigg’s Peak-based outfit won after losing the first two games to Royal Leopard and Mbabane Highlanders, respectively.

The free kick was awarded by referee Celumusa Siphepho after Sundowns defender, Phumlani Dlamini had fouled the fast-running Lindokuhle Fakudze on the edge of the box.

Malanti Chiefs, who began the game like a house on fire, were a full value for the maximum points after missing some gilt-edged chances in the first half, especially on the quarter-hour mark when Senzo Dlamini skilfully looped the ball over towering defender, Kingu Pemba but only to place his shot over the bar with the goalkeeper at his mercy.

The Raymond Dlamini-coached side had the ball in the net in the 22nd minute when Sifiso Makhubu headed in a gift-wrapped Innocent Jere cross but only to be rightfully ruled offside by second assistant referee, Mnelisi Metiso in what was a close call.

Then eight minutes into the second half, Langwe registered his first goal since he joined the Pigg’s Peak-based outfit from the ‘Students’ with a free kick that is already a strong contender for the ‘goal of the season’ award, had there been any.

Sundowns, who enjoyed a lot of ball possession without troubling the opposition in the final third, almost grabbed an equaliser in the 63rd minute when Reagan Kangumbu skilfully flicked the ball over defender Sithembiso Simelane, but fired his shot agonisingly wide.

Nine minutes before time, Sundowns goalkeeper Lwethu Simelane was lucky to escape with only a caution after he ran out of the box to tackle goal-bound Asive Langwe, leaving the Malanti Chiefs bench tearing their hair in frustration on why referee Siphepho developed cold feet instead of sending the youthful keeper for a deserved early shower.

Malanti Chiefs’ Zweli Fakudze saved his team some blushes when he bravely cleared from the line with a header after Sundowns’ strong defender, Phumlani Dlamini rose high to head magnificently a corner kick by Kangumbu two minutes before full-time. It was to be the difference of a possible draw and the agony of defeat for the hub side, who have now won, drawn one and lost one in the three league games played so far in the new season.

The wry smile on the face of the watching Malanti Chiefs boss, Dumsani Gumede, in the Royal Box at the sound of the final whistle was as wide as the Somhlolo National Stadium pitch itself.

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