WANDERERS EDGE VOVOVO

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Vovovo.................. (0)0
Wanderers............ (1)1
Sifiso 29th
LOBAMBA – After getting a point against Young Buffaloes on Wednesday night, Manzini Wanderers yesterday edged hoodoo side Vovovo.

In a lacklustre MTN Premier League match, Wanderers scored just before the half hour mark. Former Young Buffaloes and Matsapha United defender Sifiso Maseko was the scorer of the goal.
It was somewhat unfortunate for Vovovo as it was a harmless looking shot, which was bound for the keeper’s hands before Maseko gave it a touch that changed its direction to goal.

He appeared to be in a glaring off-side position but referee Thembinkosi Dlamini saw nothing wrong despite protests from Vovovo and some of the fans at the stadium.
Otherwise goals had looked scarce before this goal, save for a free header by striker Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, which went well wide in the 19th minute.

passes

The game was more in the middle of the park, with both sides making good passes but lacked that cutting edge in the final third.
Vovovo got chances of their own but were hesitant they never troubled the Wanderers goalie.

It should have been 2-0 inside the last 10 minutes of the half but winger Mike Dombo wasted a golden chance as he tried to be fancy by scooping the ball over the keeper, but it was all too easy he made a simple catch.
Dombo was again the culprit in the second half when he side footed the ball over the bar unmarked in the six area box from Sicelo ‘Junior’ Simelane’s low cross.

He was subbed a few minutes into the second half for an unlucky Funukwenzani Gama. Dombo was also well contained by right back Siphelele Ngwane, who was also a marvel to watch when overlapping. The latter also saw two good efforts go inches wide when everyone was counting a goal.

Vovovo never gave up as they continued to play their passing game and a chance fell for substitute Juries Okuado but it was in vain as the keeper Romanus Igidimba was equal to the task.
In the 83rd, Vovovo were awarded a strange indirect free kick right on the edge of the six yard box but the Wanderers wall did well to block before winning a free kick of their own. Under normal circumstances, that was a straight penalty as per the latest FIFA rules that a foul in the box is nothing but a penalty.

After this free kick, it looked apparent Wanderers had won the match and within two minutes of stoppage time, the match was over.

At the end of the day, they took home the maximum points they so needed to improve their log standings as they now have 11 points but will also be dependent on other results. For Vovovo, it could get worse as they remain in seven points, level with Mbabane Citizens, who were against Mbabane Highlanders in a later match.

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