’DOWNS SCRAPE THROUGH

Sundowns….. (0)1
‘Spoko’ 67th
U. Flyers…… (0)0

LOBAMBA – A lone strike by Vusimuzi ‘Spoko’ Mashaba was enough for Manzini Sundowns to shake off 10-man Super League side Ubombo Flyers in the race to the Ingwenyama Cup quarter-finals.

Despite playing two divisions lower than their illustrious opponents, Flyers came close to reaching their first ever Ingwenyama Cup quarter-final after a daring display before a roaring crowd of over 1 000 spectators at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. In the spirit of the tournament, which is about the blending of soccer and culture, hundreds of young boys, who are widely known as Ingatja in vernacular, had gained free entry into the venue and ‘came to the rescue’ of the sides who would have been played before less than 100 spectators who included new Sihlangu coach Kostadin Papic.

 Mashaba, who was signed from Moneni Pirates, stole the win just after the hour mark following his introduction early in the second half.
Flyers, who were the last team standing from the regions, deserved better after a spirited display and would have at least forced the game to penalties if Simanga Kutsemba didn’t fumble a glorious opportunity just near the goal line. It is a ‘contender’ for a miss of the tournament.

It took forever for Sundowns to find their rhythm and they thought they had an early advantage when dependable defender Phumlani Dlamini tip-toed a Mkhuleko Magagula effort from a free kick in the seventh minute. Flyers showed no respect for the 2015/16 semi-finalists and posed a threat going forward. A red card shown to Lucky Dlamini for a second bookable offence in the 35th minute did little to derail Gcina Dlamini’s troops who celebrated a clean sheet during the interval.

Sundowns played with intent on resumption of play, especially after the introduction of ‘Spoko’ and Frank Antwi. They had a penalty appeal turned down after Kutsemba appeared to have handled the ball in the box just before the hour mark. It did not matter moments later, as Sundowns eventfully found the breakthrough. A Frank Antwi attempt proved too hot to handle for Flyers goalkeeper Ndumiso Mngometulu and ‘Spoko’ reacted swiftly to tap in the loose ball in the 67th minute.

The visitors never gave up and Sundowns were living dangerously towards the end. Eight minutes from time, Kutsemba was presented with the glorious opportunity which he fumbled from close range following a transition from defence to attack.  It was the last throw of the dice, as Sundowns tightened the backdoor to grind out the result. It was another clean sheet, but narrow win. In the Last 32, they brushed aside Mbabane City with the same scoreline. For Flyers, they will now fight for the E40 000 Ingwenyama Cup regional prize. They are in the semi-finals.

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