‘KOKI’-LESS WANDERERS HELD

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
M. Wanderers............... (1)2
Thami 11th, Johnson 50th
P/P B. Swallows............(1)2
Mbuso 35th, Sihle (OG) 85th

LOBAMBA – Hub giants Manzini Wanderers failed to grind their first season elite league victory in the absence of head coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati.

They were held to a 2-all draw by a resilient Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows here last afternoon.

Ghana import Johnson Blay Mensah had found the opener eight minutes into the game through a great header, connecting on an inviting Njabulo Magongo delivery but was unfortunately ruled off-side.

It was the hub giants who found the lead 34 minutes before the breather after a powerful header by Thami Zulu nodding home a well-crafted Mancoba ‘Spider’ Maseko corner kick.

Themba Dladla was unlucky to see his shot sailing over the cross-bar where he thought he had found the equaliser for Aloe Konate Badara’s men.
Mensah should have doubled the lead in a scrambled area as Black Swallows failed to clear their lines but it was the opposition’s Captain Mbuso Mabuza, who equalised for the black outfit 10 minutes before recess.

The skipper finished at close range from an initial Dladla shot saved by Sandile ‘Onyango’ Dlamini, who could not do anything with the second attempt.
After recess, the maroon and white outfit put more pressure for a second goal and their efforts paid off with the hardworking Mensah finding the second just five minutes into the second half.

This was after great offensive football display by the ‘Weslians’ adding numbers at the front.
Black Swallows were lucky to escape narrowly after the referee did not penalise Menzi Simelane after the ball hit his hand inside the box.

‘Onyango’ did great to pull two important saves towards the end of the game denying Mabuza the captain and young Dladla whom he denied at point blank.
A strike from Black Swallows’ Jonathan Bafou took a deflection from defender Sihle Mkhonta to end up at the back of the net forcing a 2-all draw at the end of regulation time.

Once again, Wanderers failed to collect all points after two games played in the new season following a 0-4 setback in the grand opening against capital giants Mbabane Swallows.

Wanderers had introduced newly signed experienced defender Mandla Palma, who had been benched for almost the entire season last year while nursing an injury he sustained on national duty with Sihlangu.
The player was with Mbabane Swallows then.

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