Madlenya shock Leopard ... but stand to forfeit 5-goal thriller win
Madlenya ................... 3
Njabulo 44th, Sethu 74th, 90+3
R. Leopard ................ 2
Sidumo 39th, Thembisa 90+5
ITEKI – It is a bitter sweet win for Madlenya.
This is after the Lubombo-based side shocked MTN Premier League defending champions Royal Leopard yesterday, beating them 3-2 in a five-goal thriller played in Siteki.
The bitter part of it is that the home side may have to lose the three points and three goals if found guilty of fielding a suspended player.
They fielded Sithembiso Msibi, despite that the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) suspended him for one match as he accumulated three yellow cards. Article 9.2.1.1. provides that they forfeit the match and the player may be suspended up to three months if they are found guilty as such suspended player is deemed a defaulter if used. Madlenya fielded Msibi, who, according to a memo by the PLE, should not have played this match.
SRIGHT TO CHARGE
A penalty for contravening Article 9.2.1.1 is found on Article 9.2.5 where it states that: “Notwithstanding any provision in these rules, the PLE reserves the right to charge any player and/or club that contravenes Article 9.2.4, and if found guilty the offending club shall lose three points and three goals from the total number of points accumulated by the offending club. The offending player may further be suspended up to three months.”
Coming to the game, the William Gamedze-side started like a house on fire after scoring just four minutes into the game through current league top scorer
Njabulo Maziya. The striker headed home from close range to take his tally to seven goals. However, the Edwin Matsebula-coached Leopard came back strong and they restored parity just six minutes before half-time.
It was Sidumo Dlamini who tapped in a Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini cross, beating goalkeeper Dumsani Dlamini. After resumption, the visitors seemed to have regained strength and controlled proceedings until the home side stole the show just about 15 minutes before full-time. It was right winger Sethu Ngcamphalala who finished off with a tap-in from Maziya’s assist. The latter had rounded one defender before he crossed the ball for the unmarked Ngcamphalala who beat goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini to the far post.
Just when the police ensemble was searching for an equaliser, Ngcamphalala completed his brace on referee Mbongeni
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Shongwe’s third minute of added time. This is after he benefitted from a goal mouth scramble, let loose a screamer across a forest of bodies and ‘Mbhonyo’ was left gasping for air after the ball kissed the back of the net.
However, Leopard had not given up hope yet as they pounced and made it 3-2 on the fifth minute of added time through Thembisa Shabangu who scored with a volley. It was a little too late for a third goal as the referee blew for full-time.
This consequently meant Leopard had suffered their fourth defeat and coach Edwin Matsebula is under pressure to turn things around as the team is 10 points behind leaders Young Buffaloes after seven matches. For Madlenya, their over 50 fans celebrated the big win and can only hope it stands after their club fielded a player the PLE marked for suspension.