Sundowns edge Wanderers to clinch Unity Cup
M.Wanderers ............ (1)1
Jwanki 21st
D.Sundowns .............. (1)1
Mthokozisi 19th
Sundowns won 5-3 after penalties HLANGANO - A last penalty by Tristan Dunn won Denver Sundowns the Unity Cup.
This was after Sundowns and Manzini Wanderers played to a 1-all draw in regulation time during the one-day tournament which was played in Nhlangano yesterday.The tournament’s main objective was to spread the word about gender-based violence which has been hogging headlines lately.
The Weslians missed two of their penalties through Layode Amos and Thabo Langa. Infact, substitue goalkeeper Bernard Armah saved both penalties. Dunn stepped up and made sure the Ikarbot Masocha-led charges were victorious.
In regulation time, the ‘Kappa Boys’ were first to draw first blood through Mthokozisi Hlatshwako just 11 minutes before the half hour mark. He benefitted from goal mouth scramble to put Sundowns ahead.
The Weslians responded switfly through Jwanki George who unleashed a powerful volley from the edge of the box beating Lwethu Simelane across the goalposts. Noteworthy is that Wanderers
NNsingizini Hot Spurs 4-1 Nhlangano Pick Team S.Roses 0-2 Kappa Ladies
VOC 2-1 Nazarene C. Ministries M.Wanderers 1-1 D.Sundowns (Sundowns won 5-3 in penalties)
were without their first choice goalkeeper Bongiswa Dlamini, Mthunzi ‘Chippa’ Motsa and top striker Fabrice Mopina. Former Mbabane Highlanders goalkeeper Phila Mamba was the man at the sticks for the Weslians.
The hub side paraded Mbabane Highlanders midfielder Menzi Mamba and Manzini Sea Birds winger Thabo Langa, while Sundowns brought the familiar squad which they used during the Bible Society Cup.
Mthokosizi Hlatswako, Langelihle Dlamini and Reagan Charles were some of the outstanding players for the ‘Kappa Boys’. The game was fairly balanced with both sides attacking but missed a number of chances especially in the last half. In the opening half it seemed as if they both had done their homework as they scored early goals.
In the end half neither side scored which resulted to the game going to penalties. In other games that were played earlier, Nsingizini Hot Spurs hammered Nhlangano Pick Team 4-1 while Kappa Ladies beat Shiselweni Roses 2-0 and Voice of the Church (VOC) overcame Nazarene Compassionate Ministries Eswatini 2-1.