DEFENSIVE HOWLER COSTS LEOPARD TWO CRUCIAL POINTS

MBABANE – Royal Leopard winning ways were hampered by a late own goal from the normally dependable centre back Sifiso Nkambule with five minutes left on the clock.

The current log leaders who went into yesterday’s match enjoying a six points lead, looked to have secured another crucial away victory, when Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini scored 10 minutes from the recess, benefitting from a neat Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo pass.
Mlilo, who spent the entire afternoon dishing unbelievable passes to his teammates, picked the former Mbabane Highlanders striker inside the box with a well lifted ball, and the player just rounded off Njabuliso Simelane before guiding the ball into the empty net.

The goal came against the run of play, as Malanti Chiefs, who started the match a bit conservative, appeared to have won the police side the points, but the Pigg’s Peak side kept on pushing. The introduction of Sihle Ndaba for an off form Hloniphani Ndebele proved to be right tonic. The South African born flying left winger started exploiting spaces behind Dennis Fakudze. And the exerted pressure   caused problems for the Leopard defence that was pushed deep into its own half. With five minutes to go, a lofted ball into the 18 yards was flicked backwards by Dennis Fakudze, and with goalkeeper Ncamiso Mbhonyo Dlamini rooted in his line, Sifiso Nkambule in a desperate attempt to clear scored into his own net. You could hear hearts sink from the police side paltry supporters who were already hoping for a hard earned three points to steer clear of their title challengers in the other venues.

Coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane was left to rue the chances they missed in the first half which they dominated, but his counterpart Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati would also point out to the two free headers missed by lanky forward Sandile Hlatshwako in the second half.
The highly tactical affair was characterised by vey few goal scoring opportunities. Leopard met their match in the battle for the midfield as the Pigg’s Peak had a simple game plan of stifling hard man Menzi Sithole and Bongani ‘Chicken’ Sibandze. But Leonard Bongso, who rested goal scorer ‘Mzoro’, should have increased the tally to 2-0 20 minutes from when he was allowed to control inside the box, but he strayed his shot wide.

At the end of the day, the point proved to be a true reflection of the tie, even though it has now trimmed Leopard six point lead four, and it could go down to a point if Mbabane Swallows who beat Manzini Sea Birds 5-3 beat Young Buffaloes in their pending match.

REFEREE: Mancane Magagula
ASSISTANTS: Sifiso Nxumalo, Celumusa Malinga
MAN OF THE MATCH: Zweli Mlilo Nxumalo was at his best in his playmaker role. He made countless good passes that his team mates failed to utilise. His assist on Muzi Mzoro Dlamini was out of this world.

GOAL OF THE DAY: It has to be Mzoro’s goal. The pass was exquisite, and the striker’s first touch, decision making and finishing oozed class.
SAVE OF THE DAY: Njabuliso Simelane denied Zweli Mlilo Nxumalo whose well taken shot 28 minutes into the game was headed for the far post. The goalkeeper reacted quickly to dive on his right to save it for a fruitless corner kick.

MISS OF THE DAY: Malanti Chiefs’ Sandile Hlatshwako failed to direct his free header into the net at seven yards with everyone counting a goal a minute from the break.
SHOT OF THE DAY: Sihle Ndaba’s treacherous shot from a free kick that shaved the cross bar left hearts skipping at Royal Leopard camp 17 minutes from time.
MOAN OF THE DAY: The own goal by Sifiso Nkambule left aching hearts in his team, especially because there was no imminent danger from the opposition during the incident.
CROWD: About 300
WEATHER: Partly cloudy and hot.

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