Ezulwini derail Leopard title hopes
MBABANE – Royal Leopard’s title hopes were dealt a blow as they played to a goalless draw against Ezulwini United in an MTN Premier League match played here yesterday.
The draw for the former league champions denied them the second spot on the standing, as they would have tied with leaders Mbabane Swallows on 40 points. The match started like a house on fire as both teams searched for an early goal, which was, however, elusive for the entire 90 minutes of play.
The first clear-cut chance of the match came five minutes before the half-hour mark when national team defender Simanga ‘Stina’ Masangane made a sole run into the box. He then located Junior Magagula with a good pass; Magagula unleashed a cracker, which was tipped by the on-form
MAN OF THE MATCH:
Siyabonga ‘Slam Kat’ Magagula (Ezulwini United): The goal-custodian is maturing like wine as in each passing game he shows signs of growing. He is the reason the Stingers bagged a point against the vastly experienced police side. He is knocking at Sihlangu’s door.
Siyabonga ‘Slam Kat’ Magagula for a fruitless corner. The sides continued pushing each other hard for an opener until referee Wandile Mamba signalled for a break, with the score sheet unstained.
The second half was almost a replica of the first stanza, but this time the match was punctuated episodes of high tension as tackles were flying from all angles. The host should have broken the deadlock, with a Msimisi Zwane free header from Captain Mphucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini narrowly missing the target, just eight minutes into the second half.
Edwin Matsebula’s charges could not be left out as Sihlangu skipper Sifiso ‘Ayoba; Matse well-taken shot inside the box was cleared for a corner by Siyabonga between the sticks. Ingwe Mabalabala thought to have taken the lead just five minutes before the last 45, when Junior’s well-taken set-piece outside the box was calmly saved by Slam Kat.
Nothing could separate the sides when referee Mamba blew his final whistle, the result saw the Stingers maintaining their 11th spot, while Leopard slipped to position four.