LEOPARD SINK SEA BIRDS, STAY TOP

SITEKI - Royal Leopard tightened their grip on the MTN Premier League top spot as they celebrated a season double over Manzini Sea Birds yesterday.

Leopard’s free-scoring midfielder Junior Magagula scored the lone goal, curling an 82nd minute cross from right winger Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini. The game changer unfolded after a gruelling yet goalless first-half marked by wasted chances and remarkable saves by both sides. Going into the game tied on 55 points with league rivals Mbabane Highlanders who also have their eyes fixed on the league title, it was a frustrating moment for coach Edwin Matsebula and his troops as a goal proved elusive for more than an hour. A draw could have been celebrated by Sea Birds who are on 30 points and just outside the top eight, but their efforts to pin down the raging league defending champions were in vain. The police side forced their opponents to adopt a defensive approach from the onset and kept goalkeeper Malungisa Mamba busy between the sticks.

Lungelo Tsabedze was denied a chance to take the lead for Leopard, as he lost control of the ball in a face-off against Mamba who snatched it away before he could unleash his strike in the box minutes before the end of the first-half. Sea Birds Captain Muzi Tsabedze responded a minute later but was off target. Veteran winger Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze’s dribbling tactics and quick passes were met by a strong resistance from Thami Zulu, who was a stumbling block on Leopard’s back line. Leopard’s 1-0 victory placed them on 58 points. They remain joint top with Highlanders, who celebrated a 3-1 victory over Milling Hot spurs yesterday afternoon at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. However, the police side still enjoy a superior goal difference and better head-to-head.

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