(At Manzini Club Sports Ground)
Lozitha Spurs..........................2
Bongiswa 16th, Samkelo 90+5
Red Rhinos................................1
Ncamiso 90+4
MANZINI – Lozitha Spurs produced a dramatic late twist to deny Red Rhinos a perfect conclusion to the first round of the MulaSport National First Division (NFD), snatching a 2-1 victory in a match played yesterday.
However, the result was not enough to stop the Rhinos from hoisting the first-round championship trophy and pocketing the E55 000 incentive.
Red Rhinos entered the eagerly anticipated clash knowing a single point would be enough to secure the crown. Despite the high stakes, the opening exchanges were uncharacteristically scrappy, with both sides guilty of misplaced passes and tame efforts during a lacklustre first 10 minutes.
Lozitha Spurs were the first to find their rhythm, breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute through Bongiswa Dlamini. The forward rose highest to power home a well-directed header, handing his side a deserved advantage and piling immediate pressure on the league leaders.
As the half progressed, Lozitha grew in confidence, carving out several promising openings and looking the more likely to extend their lead. When the referee signalled four minutes of added time, the score remained unchanged, sending the teams into the tunnel with Lozitha holding a 1-0 lead—leaving the Rhinos’ coronation day under a cloud.
The second half resumed with Lozitha maintaining their intensity, fashioning three clear-cut opportunities in the opening seven minutes as they pressed the Red Rhinos rear-guard. Rhinos eventually found their footing around the 55th minute, but the Lozitha shot-stopper produced a world-class save to claw away a goal-bound header from a set-piece.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
Red Rhinos were crowned the MulaSport NFD champions yesterday at the Manzini Club, despite losing 1-2 to Lozitha Spurs. (Pic: Melusi Mlkhabela)