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‘CHOCCO’ SAVES SEA BIRDS’ BLUSHES

17/05/2021 08:16:00 BY LWAZI DLAMINI

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MBABANE – Crafty midfielder Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze took the few people inside the stadium here yesterday down memory lane with a trademark swerving free kick to ensure Manzini Sea Birds and Green Mamba went home with a point apiece.

A replica of the free kick he scored against Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza on September 25, 2016 while captaining Mbabane Highlanders, the diminutive midfielder, from 25 yards out left Green Mamba goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi looking like a newly-born kitten as the ball rattled the roof of the net.

derby

Highlanders ended up losing that derby clash 2-3 at Somhlolo National Stadium but the free kick was certainly from the top drawer, so was yesterday’s effort which left Green Mamba coach Caleb Ngwenya counting his team losses in the first round E350 000 title run-in. It was a well deserved point for the Gcina Dlamini –coached side after they spurned two glorious chances in the first half only to fall behind in the 71st minute through a fortuitous Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo goal following hesitant defending in the rear-guard. ‘Izinyoni Zolwandle’ took the game to the ‘Correctional Services’ side and should have drawn first blood in the 16th minute Mthokisizi Gwebu broke free only to fire his shot agonisingly wide. Green Mamba replied with their own probing move but only for Khethokuhle Mkhontfo to fire wide after a well weighted Sifiso Mdluli cross in the 26th minute.

brilliant

Green Mamba veteran goalkeeper, Thokozani Mkhulisi pulled off a brilliant one-hand save two minutes into the second half to deny Sandumuzi Zwane’s glancing header inside the box. Then Green Mamba began to find spaces in midfield where the combination of Lawrence Mncina and Njabulo Tfwala was a joy to watch and it was Njabulo’s defence-freezing pass that allowed ‘;Xavi’ to beat an off-side trap and side-foot the ball home in the 71st minute.