(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)
N. Hotspurs........0)0
Green Mamba....(1)1
‘Pupu’ 30th
NHLANGANO – The chase for the MTN Premier League’s coveted first round E110 000 incentive has dramatically intensified.
Green Mamba have landed a significant blow against reigning champions Nsingizini Hotspurs. In a fiercely-contested affair, Green Mamba, despite being reduced to 10 men just a minute before the final whistle, emerged victorious against Hotspurs with a solitary, decisive goal.
The match-winner came in the first half from former Tanzania’s Tabora United player, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. The drama escalated late on when defender Peter Dlamini was shown his marching orders by Referee Wandile Mamba.
Dlamini’s second booking – for fouling Vuyo Macina, who was threatening in the box – followed an earlier caution for time-wasting. ‘Insingizi Yezulu’ chased the equaliser relentlessly in this week two catch-up match but were ultimately unable to neutralise the deficit, consigning them to their first loss of the season.
For ‘Inyoka Eluhlazana’, this narrow 1-0 result marks their fifth victory against the Shiselweni side and denied Hotspurs a chance to claim the top spot on the table.
This win represents a particularly sweet piece of revenge for Bongani Mhlongo’s men. It comes just two months after Mandla Qhogi’s charges defeated them by the same solitary strike to lift the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup 2025 crown. The victory propels the Correctional Services side to within two points of the top spot, crucially leapfrogging Nsingizini to sit one point ahead of them.
They now join Rangers, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Sea Birds on seven points. Nsingizini, meanwhile, have slipped to seventh place, though they retain a pending fixture against newcomers Tabankulu Celtics scheduled for next Wednesday.
It was a crackerjack of a game, with both teams showing clear intent to draw first blood. The hosts dictated possession for much of the first half, even earning a promising set-piece on the edge of the box, only for Thubelihle Mavuso to balloon his effort in the 27th minute.
They were made to regret that miss just three minutes later. ‘Pupu’ capitalised expertly, advancing unmarked as Mbutfo Dlamini found him, before firing a beautiful volley from outside the box past goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini.
The goal eventually settled the contest, though Nsingizini continued to craft better opportunities, hindered only by a lack of clinical finishing upfront. From the restart, both sides exhibited equal energy, although the 2023/24 MTN Premier League champions were visibly employing time-wasting tactics to protect their slender advantage.
Hotspurs constantly hammered on the Green Mamba door, with Captain Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini driving good runs from midfield, yet every attack was repelled by the watertight defence marshalled by Peter and Sibongakonkhe Silenge.
Despite the home side’s determined efforts to salvage a point, Green Mamba held firm to their lead to record their second win of the league campaign. They had previously beaten log leaders Mbabane Swallows by a single goal in the opening game, subsequently lost to Manzini Sea Birds, and played a goalless draw against rookies last weekend. Hotspurs, on the other hand, boast two wins recorded against Highlanders and Ubombo Sugar.
Nsingizini Hotspurs’ Kwakhe Thwala tumbles from Green Mamba defender Peter Dlamini’s tackle during their MTN Premier League clash at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano yesterday. Green Mamba won 1-0. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)