10-MEN MAMBA SNEAK INTO FINAL

M. Pirates..........(1)1
Njabulo 14th
G. Mamba........ (0)2
Khetho 68th, Linda 72nd

LOBAMBA – Substitute Linda Nkambule was the hero as 10-man Green Mamba staged a smash-and-grab raid on Moneni Pirates yesterday.

Having led for 54 minutes in yesterday’s blockbuster Ingwenyama Cup semi-final at a packed Somhlolo National Stadium, wheels came off Pirates after the hour mark to concede two goals in five minutes from lapses in concentration at the back. Just when everyone thought Green Mamba were down and out after Thabo Mngometulu was sent off for a second bookable offence, they turned the game on its head to sneak into their first ever Ingwenyama Cup final with a 2-1 win.

They set up a date with Mbabane Highlanders in the decider on a date to be confirmed. The latter shook off National First Division side Tambankulu Callies with a 2-0 win. It is a repeat of 2012 EswatiniBank Cup final which Green Mamba won 3-1.

For Pirates who had newly-appointed Sihlangu assistant coach Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini returning to play a technical advisor role, it was a big missed opportunity as they were moments away from their first final appearance since winning the EswatiniBank Cup ahead of Manzini Wanderers in 2015.
Coach Caleb Ngwenya, who is celebrating his first-ever cup final appearance in history, was instrumental with spot on tactical changes to swing the pendulum in their favour. He had thrown more men upfront, sacrificing Banele Makonese in defence for goalscorer Linda Nkambule late in the second half.

quickest

However, Pirates were quickest out of the blocks, with enterprising youngster Njabulo Shongwe shaking off the defence to squeeze a grass-cutter past a forest of legs in the 14th minute. Veteran winger Sifiso ‘Mkhalele’ Mdluli had done all the spadework to set up Shongwe. Green Mamba never dropped their heads after the setback, with skipper Njabulo Thwala stinging goalkeeper Romanus Igidimba’s gloves with hard shots. Pirates still managed to take the narrow lead to the break.

It was on resumption of play that the ‘Sea Robbers’ faded, with the opposition easily peeling off to capitalise on poor defending. However, it was Green Mamba who suffered an immediate blow when defender Mngometulu was sent off for a second  bookable offence following a clumsy  challenge on ‘Mkhalele’ in the 67th minute. A minute later the visiting team, who were now a man down defied all odds to restore parity. From the blind side came Khethokuhle Mkhontfo who rose highest to steer home the equaliser from a Njabulo Tfwala corner kick.

Just when Pirates were looking to restore their lead, disaster struck. Skipper Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane was stuttering in clearing their lines and was dispossessed by Nkambule, who won the ball just outside the box before firing home with aplomb 18 minutes from time to tear Pirates apart.

It proved to be decisive punch, as it sucked the energy out of Bongani Mhlongo’s men while also transporting Green Mamba to their first final since 2016 when they lost 1-2 to Mbabane Swallows in the EswatiniBank Cup.

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