(At KaLanga Technical Centre)
Green Mamba.............(1)2
Sikhali 14th, D4D 70th
Ezulwini United...........(0)2
‘Ndoye’ 83rd, ‘Sweswe’ 90+4th
SITEKI – Green Mamba, surrendered a comfortable two-goal advantage to a resilient Ezulwini United side yesterday, but still managed to jump to the top.
The sides eventually settled for a dramatic 2-2 draw in a pulsating MTN Premier League encounter at the KaLanga Technical Centre outside Siteki.
Despite the late collapse, the point was enough to lift the hosts to the summit of the table, though the manner of the draw will feel like two points dropped against a side that simply refused to be beaten.
The hosts, under Bongani Mhlongo, looked set for a straightforward victory after taking an early lead. Seasoned forward Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa opened the scoring, connecting sweetly with a meticulously delivered set-piece from midfield maestro Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.
Ezulwini, however, offered glimpses of their threat. Winger Khethokuhle ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo was a perpetual thorn in the flesh of the Green Mamba defence, notably evading the likes of Sibongakonkhe Silenge and Colani Dlamini, but his early efforts were expertly thwarted. Ezulwini Coach Musa Manyatsi was quick to react, bringing on Musa ‘Mgololo’ Dlamini for a clearly frustrated Waheed Abdoul after just 26 minutes—a change necessitated, in part, by Abdoul’s physical reaction to a strong challenge from Green Mamba midfielder Sisekelo ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa.
Green Mamba maintained the pressure, with Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu testing Ezulwini shot-stopper Siyabonga Magagula shortly after. The home side ultimately went into the half-time break leading 1-0.
Upon the resumption, Green Mamba seemed content to manage the game, but missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead from a close-range set-piece just before the hour mark. Ezulwini responded by trying to unlock the defence, with a neat pass from ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo finding Senzelwe Dlamini, but the chance came to nothing.
The two-goal cushion finally arrived for Green Mamba moments later. ‘D4D’ Ndlovu rose highest to meet a perfectly square ball from Sikhondze, heading home to leave Magagula dejected and the home fans celebrating what they thought was the killer blow.
games, accumulating nine points and proving themselves to be the division’s current ‘draw specialists’.
*Full article available in our publication
Green Mamba seasoned forward Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa controls the ball while under pressure from Ezulwini United’s Zakhele Mabaso during their MTN Premier League clash at KaLanga Technical Centre in Siteki yesterday. (Pic: Ntombikayise Gwebu)