5 defeats in 5 for ‘Weslians’

G. Mamba ........... 3

Sikhali 51st, 87th, Kwenzokuhle 70th Wanderers ........... 1

Phathizwe 90

ALANGA – Nothing is going right for faltering hub giants Manzini Wanderers as they slumped to their fifth consecutive MTN Premier League defeat yesterday.

After only training on Friday ahead of the Green Mamba match, trouble torn Wanderers were bound to lose the match against a side that had signed quality players including feared forward in former Mbabane Highlanders’ Sabelo ‘Sikhalo’ Ndzinisa among others. And yes, they were thumped 3-1, the only positive for the maroon and white side was scoring their first goal this season.

Midfielder Phathizwe Mabuza scored for them otherwise its clear that they have issues to resolve and they need to do it as quick as possible because their next fixtures are also not easy ones. They play hub rivals Manzini Sea Birds and defending champions Royal Leopard next and at the rate they are giving away points, there is little hope even in these fixtures. The club is rocked by financial woes with their South African Director Cedric Mathata Mashile’s whereabouts unknown while a new leadership strategy also means they have no one they can call a director at the moment until they successfully sell their 10 000 shares valued at E5 million at E500 each.

Green Mamba were aware of the Wanderers challenges and previous results and set their target on fighting for the maximum points which they achieved. Their new signing, ‘Sikhali’ scored a brace, his second of the season to inspire his side to a 3-1 win while the third came from Kwenzokuhle Khumalo. He was on target in the 51st minute as both teams failed to score in the opening half which Green Mamba dominated.

It was the host team which made

KMAN OF THE MATCH:

Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa (G. Mamba) - The former Mbabane Highlanders deadly forward was the chief tormentor of Wanderers with his ball control as he connected well with the midfielders. He capped his good day in office with a brace and an assist.

the first attempt at goal, the enterprising midfielder, Njabulo Tfwala was denied by the post twice in the first stanza. His well taken shot outside the box hit the upright with goalkeeper Bongiswa ‘Romeo’ Dlamini well beaten before he again saw another brilliant effort come of the upright after the half-hour mark.

DEADLOCK

Wanderers started showing signs of fatigue as the game progressed midway through the opening stanza despite starting positively as they faded and failed to make any purposeful moves to score a goal. The only chance in this half came towards the break when Fabrice Mopina’s free header went a few inches over the bar. The Correctional Services side, eventually broke the deadlock against the run of play, six minutes into the second half, when ‘Sikhali’blasted one home after a good interchange of play with Njabulo Tfwala. Winger Mthunzi Mkhontfo watched in agony as his cracker outside the box flew inches over the bar with Bongiswa well beaten between the Wanderers sticks.

‘Sikhali’s through ball inside the last 30 was intercepted brilliantly by Khethokuhle Khumalo, who made no mistake slotting it home to give his side a 2-0 advantage. The former Mbombela United lethal striker, ‘Sikhali’ completed his brace as he easily blasted the ball behind the advancing goalkeeper after receiving a pass from Banele ‘Bunny’ Mdluli three minutes before full time. Meanwhile, Wanderers got their consolation goal at the stroke of full time after Mabuza benefitted from an initial rebound resultant from a set piece delivery into the box that came off the goalkeeper, to give his side their first goal of the season.