Wanderers ease relegation woes
N. Hotspurs ............. 1
Lwazi 11th
M. Wanderers .......... 2
Amos 26th, Lindelwa 87th
HLANGANO – Lindelwa Dludlu was a hero for Manzini Wanderers, as his 87th minute strike earned his side valuable points away to rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs yesterday. This was during an MTN Premier League game which Wanderers needed at all costs to stay as far off the relegation zone, which had looked more realistic more than any other season in their recent worst times. They moved from the third bottom of the standings one pace up and seven points clear off the drop zone.
It looked as a though a share of the spoils was set to be the final result, but Dludlu struck late three minutes from time. This was after the trio of William Kunene, Bongumenzi ‘SD’ Dlamini and Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama exchanged good passes and Dludlu was in the right space to complete the move. He let fly a scorcher from the edge of the box, giving the rookies’ goalie no chance.
It was Nsingizini who opened the deadlock against the run of play through Lwazi Bhembe, who benefitted from a Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane’s initial shot rebound to bury the ball behind goalkeeper Sitali Nyambe. The first half was dominated by the host as Wanderers lacked creativity at the belly of the park, where they struggled to contain the home team’s Zambian import Tanaka Chinyahara. The first stanza saw both teams creating clear-cut chances, but failed to make them count.
Wanderers levelled matters four minutes before the half-hour mark through Amos Adefemi, who nodded home a pinpoint corner kick delivered by Thabo Langa. The teams went for the breather tied at 1-1. The start of the second half saw the maroon and white hub giants veteran gaffer Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe make a triple substitution, bringing on Sibonginkosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini, William Kunene and Majahesibili ‘Giggs’ Dlamini for Thabo Langa, Amos Adefemi and Menzi Dludlu.
This seemed to be just the right tonic for LiWeseli as they took control of the match especially in the middle where they were outplayed in the first half. Gudas stamped his authority with aplomb in the middle and made Wanderers tick. It was no wonder they stole the maximum points right at the death to ease their relegation troubles. The first round fixture ended 2-all at Mavuso Sports Centre. This was also the second consecutive loss for new Coach Meck Mwase from Malawi as he lost to Moneni Pirates last week; they were edged 1-0.
NSitali Nyambe (M. Wanderers) - The Zambian goalkeeper was the reason Wanderers won the game. He made countless crucial saves which denied Nsingizini Hotspurs a win.
N. Hotspurs: Siyabonga Shiba, Phila Dlamini, Wenzile Lushaba, Sambulo Simelane (Bavukile Shabangu), Tanaka Chinyahara, Pius Baffour, Thubelihle Mavuso (Sinenkosi Dlamini), Neliso Myeni, Mncedisi Dlamini, Albert Nkosana, Lwazi Bhembe
M. Wanderers: Sitali Nyambe, Sandile Mhlanga, Lindelwa Dludlu, Menzi Dludlu (William Kunene), Phathizwe Mabuza (Njabulo Gama), Thabo Langa (Gudas), Djo Etwe, Mancoba Nhlabatsi, Lindokuhle Dlamini, Amos Adefemi (Giggs), Simphiwe Manana
MANZINI – It cost an arm and a leg to host the national road championships. This was revealed by the Eswatini Cycling Association (ECA), President, Sifiso ‘Zwide’ Ndwandwe, during the annual general meeting (AGM) which was held at Manzini Club yesterday. Worth noting, the meeting started late due to members arriving late.
“Due to the late start of the meeting, caused by the late arrival of members by over an hour, it was resolved that the reports - both narrative and financial - would be sent to members and inputs made electronically so the meeting focused on mainly the rebranding and the national championships,” said Ndwandwe.
He said they will have a virtual meeting in two weeks to deliberate on the financial reports. “We give members enough time to look at the report and scrutinise it,” said the president.
While at that, the meeting deliberated on issues of rebranding and the National Championships. It was where the issue of the national championships was discussed at length. Before the championship presentation was done by ECA member Darren Dunn, 4Eva Cycling
Club Principal Clinton McNamara had a suggestion that there should be Mountain Bike (MTB) championships.
The president said hosting an event of the road championships status was costly. “Last year’s road championship cost us about E50 000 to E60 000.Beside the cost, there are lot of factors that counts to host a championship race,” said Ndwandwe.
To which McNamara further suggested that clubs should be allowed to host a championship MTB race.
However, the president said it was a mammoth, task altogether. He, however, said this issue should be deliberated further on how possible it was to stage an MTB.
This year’s flagship race will be held in June 25. They will start and finish at Mpaka Filling Station.
The championship main distance has being increased from 115km to 150km to condition cyclists to be able to compete in international races. The race is divided into three categories namely the 150km, 100km and 75km.
Other issues were that of a new logo and campaign tags. The new slogan is ‘Asishove’. Members also raised issues pertaining rescheduling the championships to summer instead of winter, financials not being presented due to late arrival, possibly name change, means to scout for sponsorships among other issues.