(At Nsukuwansuku Stadium)
Ezulwini United .........(1)1
‘Ndoye’ 29th
Royal Leopard ...........(0)0
MHLUME – The crisis at eight-time MTN Premier League champions Royal Leopard deepened yesterday.
This follows a demoralising defeat against a sharp Ezulwini United side in this crucial catch-up fixture.
United inflicted further pain on the reigning runners-up, courtesy of a first-half bullet strike from Kwenzokuhle ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo, a result that leaves ‘Ingwe’ languishing precariously in the relegation zone.
This match settled the outstanding week two commitment, originally postponed due to the police side’s involvement in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) campaign last month.
The pressure is mounting intensely on Royal Leopard Coach Edwin ‘Pot O’ Gold’ Matsebula.
His side now sit in 13th place with a meagre five points from six games, marking a truly dismal opening to their season.
This latest setback follows a humiliating 3-0 home defeat by rookies Tabankulu Celtics just days before. In stark contrast, the ‘Stingers’ of Ezulwini United are flying high.
The victory propels them from sixth to the top four, level on 12 points with defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs, and now just one point adrift of leaders Manzini Sea Birds.
Crucially, they maintain their status as the only unbeaten team in the new campaign.
This was a notable, tactical victory for Musa Manyatsi’s team, marking their first triumph over Leopard, a side that had previously humiliated them with a 7-1 demolition.
The opening stanza saw Leopard assert early dominance, pushing the home side deep into their own territory. Matsebula had notably shuffled his pack, reintroducing regulars like Sifiso ‘Ayoba’ Matse, Lungelo ‘Twin’ Tsabedze and Mohammed Anus into the starting line-up. Early chances fell to the visitors.
In the 13th minute, Thokozani ‘Thikithi’ Dlamini forced a superb save from Ezulwini’s Siyabonga Magagula at the near post.
Three minutes later, Anus squandered a free header from Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Msibi’s cross, his effort drifting agonisingly wide.
The ‘Ingwe’ failed to convert this period of ascendancy against the patient ‘Stingers’, who focused on methodical build-up play from the back.
Leopard were made to pay for their profligacy just before the half-hour mark. Finishing off a perfectly timed cross from Banele Nkambule on the right flank, ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo unleashed a ferocious, well-placed shot inside the box to break the deadlock.
The goal instantly balanced the contest, shifting momentum to the home side. Mancoba Maseko’s desperate long-range strike just before the interval, which flew over the bar, was the closest Leopard came to an immediate reply.
The second half began at a fiery pace, with Leopard aggressively seeking a rapid equaliser, but the ‘Stingers’ countered with dangerous, high-tempo breaks aimed at doubling their advantage.
Alvin Shabashie almost found the net four minutes before the hour mark, but his effort clipped the side netting. Despite monopolising possession, Leopard remained toothless in the final third, finding no way past Emmanuel Dufai’s well-marshalled backline.
Even the introduction of key players like Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, Junior Magagula and Sibonelo ‘Jekwa’ Simelane at the restart proved futile.
The relentless pursuit of a goal continued, but as frustration visibly mounted on the technical bench, every substitution failed to unlock the disciplined Ezulwini defence.
In the end, Royal Leopard failed to salvage even a single point, succumbing once again and deepening their early-season crisis.
Ezulwini United celebrate their 1-0 win over Royal Leopard in yesterday’s MTN Premier League match at Mhlume Stadium. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)