‹ŠŽƒ‰— –™‘Ǧ‰‘‘†

The MTN Premier League top goalscorer benefitted from a long but strong throw-in from club teammate Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba to beat the goalkeeper, Sekhoane, from close range.

Just when Lesotho were trying to pick up the pieces, Sihlangu pounced again. ‘Saviola’ turned provider, as he set up ‘Sikhali ‘with an exquisite long pass. The latter peeled off the defence to beat the goalkeeper with a low pass from close range in the 18th minute. It was goal a that drove the 30-year-old to the summit of the scorers’ charts in the 2022 instalment of the tournament with three goals.

Ndzinisa has further matched Zimbabwe’s legendary Peter Ndlovu’s eight-goal tally in the regional soccer showpiece‘s all-time scorers’ charts. Both Ndlovu and ‘Sikhali’ are now on eight goals, with the latter getting closer to matching record scorer and countryman Felix Badenhorst who is on nine.

Probing

Sihlangu kept probing and Lesotho’s

Rethabile handled the ball just outside from another long pin-point ‘Order’ throw-in, but Sihlangu wasted the opportunity. However, Eswatini kept their foot on the accelerator to take the twogoal cushion to the break.

Lesotho had managed to string a few Quizzed on how he managed to penetrative passes on resumption of stop Lesotho, he said they were play, with Lisema testing goalkeeper able to close them on the flanks Sandanezwe Mathabela with an audacious and disturb them from playing their attempt from near range in the passing game.

63rd minute. Meanwhile, Lesotho Coach Veselin

Sihlangu were committing errors Jelušić congratulated Eswatini. midway through the half, but they were “They did well and they won. On lucky the opposition could not capitalise the other hand, we did not play well. on them. Seven minutes from time, the I guess the players were too much opponents were reduced to 10 men. It under pressure. We could not play worked to Sihlangu’s advantage, as they our normal game and we barely tightened their back door to celebrate a created clear cut chances,” said the big win and further set up the last eight Lesotho coach. interesting clash with Senegal, which is He said their aim was to come for a repeat of last year’s semifinal matcha win against Sihlangu, not a draw; up which ended in Senegal’s favour after however, he highlighted that the opponent a 2-all draw in regulation time. had planned better.

The quarterfinal against Senegal will Meanwhile, Man of the Match be minus most of the stars who include between Lesotho and Eswatini, Bayern Munich superstar Sadio Mane, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze thanked

K‘iŽn†g ‡Zwelith–iƒni–S‡tadiumƒ”in”D‹‘ur”b•an’”‘the c‘oa–c‡h foƒr trusƒting hƒimŠ. which will be played in two days’ time at “The coach told us that we have at 2pm. season as the team’s director of player development and also currently is serving as Golden State’s coach for the Las Vegas Summer League. Under his tutelage, Warriors youngsters Jordan Poole, Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody all showed flashes of stardom during the season and are poised to take another leap in the 2022-23 campaign.

Mahlalela started his career with the Toronto Raptors in 2006 and worked in a variety of roles within the organisation before becoming an assistant coach there during the 201314 season.

Mahlalela was also groomed in Eswatini where he learned the basics of the sport. He used to be mentored by now Basketball Association of Eswatini (BASE) Vice President

MBABANE – After winning the National Basketball Association League (NBA) last month, Golden State Warriors have elevated Eswatini-born Coach Jama Mahlalela to a new position.

According to experts abroad, Warriors could have scouted elsewhere, but decided to promote from within to replace the coaching vacancy left by former assistant coach Mike Brown.

Jama Mahlalela will take Brown’s seat on the bench next season, The Athletic’s Anthony Slater reported last Thursday, citing sources. Brown, of course, left after the Warriors’ championship season to become the head coach of the Kings.

Mahlalela was hired before the 202122

Passing

to fight for a win here and we just followed his instructions. We wanted the game more than Lesotho; I guess

Bonginkhosi ‘Dee’ Shabangu.

Shabangu confirmed that he heard of such news and even shared a link to the latest development. that is why we won at the end of the day,” said the Young Buffaloes striker.

“It is good news not for Mahlalela, but for Eswatini as he shows that anything is possible if you put your mind on something,” Shabangu said.

(File pic) Sihlangu’s Sabelo opponent. ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa shields the ball from an

(Courtesy pic) Golden State Warriors assistant Coach Jama Mahlalela.