'Tiger' bites late to send Nsingizini top

(At the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)

N. Hotspurs......2
Thubelihle 41st,’Tiger’  90+6

Rangers FC.......1
Nduduzo 10th  

NHLANGANO - Shiselweni’s ambitious side, Nsingizini Hotspurs, are within touching distance of their first-ever title after they dug deep to see off their regional rivals, Rangers, in a real blood and thunder of an MTN Premier League match yesterday.

Nsingizini had to go to the well and show the mettle of champions-elect to snatch back top spot from their title rivals, Royal Leopard. Leopard once again fluffed their lines, dropping points after drawing 1-1 with Manzini Sea Birds yesterday, allowing Hotspurs to leapfrog them with a game to spare.

At Nhlangano, it was the bottom-of-the-table dwellers who drew first blood, with Nduduzo Mvakali firing home a screamer inside the first quarter of an hour, sending a shock wave through the league leader’s over 2 000 fans. However, Simon Ngomane’s side kept cool heads and bossed the game with Thubelihle Mavuso’s weak header sending the teams level-pegging at the break.

The second half saw Rangers under the under siege for much of the period, but they managed to keep their opponents at bay until Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini broke their hearts in time added on by referee Thembinkosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini.

Celebrations

Sikhumbuzo Mngomezulu whipped in a corner, and ‘Tiger’ rose highest to head home, sparking wild celebrations.

This late goal lifted Insingizi YeZulu back to the summit, a single point clear of Leopard. Their win sparked jubilant scenes among their faithful in the stands, while the Rangers supporters scarpered pretty sharpish.

Emotions were running high in the Nsingizini players, with the likes of ‘Tiger’, Kwakhe Tfwala and Alvin Shabashie shedding a few tears of joy at the final whistle, joined by the top brass from the club in wild celebrations.

They are now just 90 minutes away from a maiden title; all they need to do is beat 13th-placed Sidwashini United next week when the league season closes.

Meanwhile, Rangers remain in 12th spot but are still unsafe and still searching for a first Shiselweni derby win. On another note, bottom logger, Madlenya played to a 1-all draw with Sidwashini United.

This result means they can nolonger survive the axe, ending their three-season campaign in the premier league. Meanwhile, Green Mamba are also out of the title race after their goalless stalemate with Mbabane Highlanders.

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