SIDUMO BREAKS WANDERERS FANS’ HEARTS

BY LWAZI DLAMINI
Sports Editor
(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Moneni Pirates...............(0) 1,
Sidumo 88th
Mnz. Wanderers............(0) 0,

MANZINI – “Sikuva ngendzaba ye-Weseli kantsi umnandzi kangaka,” reverberated around the modest Mavuso Sports Centre like a tornado after Moneni Pirates ended their city rivals Manzini Wanderers’ mini-revival in a sleek 1-0 league win here yesterday.

The motley group of the Moneni Buccaneers fervent supporters, like they had rehearsed the whole week, sang their voices hoarse in sheer unbridled joy for over 30 minutes after referee Thulani Sibandze had blown his final whistle in untold scenes of jubilation that must have continued throughout the night at the densely populated Moneni Township.

It was substitute and former Manzini Wanderers striker, Sidumo Shongwe, who came in for Phumlani Shabangu in the 38th minute, who pulled the trigger with two minutes before full-time to send the hordes of Wanderers supporters, who had come in numbers, into perpetual agony.

respect

Shongwe, in respect of his former team, did not celebrate the winning goal, even as he was mobbed by his teammates and some overjoyed Pirates fans who cascaded into the synthetic track to savour the moment of glory.

It was a deft finish by the experienced striker after Wanderers defender, Jose Machado had misjudged a cross from Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini from the right flank.

Wanderers Nigerian goalkeeper, Romans Igidimba could not stop the low shot which provoked the kind of celebrations this modest venue has not seen in a long time.
Unlike the first game here between title chasers, Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes which ended in a drab 1-all draw, this Manzini City derby lived up to its pre-match billing with both sides invading each other’s danger zones with probing moves.

Pirates could have easily taken the lead in the 28th minute when Neliso Myeni broke free after a defensive mix-up at Wanderers rear-guard but his meek shot was easily saved by Wanderers goalminder, Igidimba.

Two minutes later, Sicelo ‘Junior’ Simelane tore his hair in frustration when his low shot hit the goalpost in a goal-mouth melee with Pirates goalkeeper, Siyabonga Zwane well-beaten.

Second substitute, Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze was slightly a second too late to finish off an inviting Mike Dombo cross in the 64th minute, leaving the hordes of Wanderers fans gasping for thin air.

Then with the game seemingly set for another draw like in the first round 1-all stalemate here on November 3, 2018, Pirates snatched a memorable win with two minutes left on the clock. An inviting cross from ‘Smoothies’ on the right flank was misjudged by defender Jose Machado, allowing the lurking by, like an obstinate shylock, Sidumo Shongwe to fire a low shot into the far right corner of the net, leaving the Manzini City a tale of two cities.

One half in black and white in sheer unbridled joy and the maroon and white part, in perpetual agony. Such is the story of derby football. The hymn ‘Sikuva ngendzaba ye-Weseli kantsi umnandzi kangaka’ reverberated around the city all the way to the Moneni Township where celebrations no doubt lasted till this morning.

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