’ Downs sink Malanti
Sundowns............( 2) 3
Spider 15th, 47th, Dazza 42nd Malanti...............( 0) 1
Sandile 60th
SITEKI – It was a relegation battle between these two dangerously placed sides in the MTN Premier League standings.
Placed at the basement and second from bottom, Malanti Chiefs and Denver Sundowns both needed to collect the maximum points. However, it was t h e ‘ Basop i Kappa’ e n s e mb l e t h a t t o o k i t s c h a n c e s a t goal while their rivals fluffed theirs. It took a brace by former Mbabane Cit y a nd Manzini Wanderers midfielder Mancoba ‘ Spider’ Maseko for Sundowns to record their first win in 12 matches.
Sundowns completed a double over the Pigg’s Peak- based side as the first round fixture ended 2- 1 back i n April and then 3- 1 now. Sundowns had gone without a win since May 1 where they last beat Tambankulu Callies 2- 1.
The win for Sundowns lifted them three places up the ladder to position 13. The home side opened the scorer ’s chart through Spider, who converted f r om t he s pot i n t he quarter hour mark. This was resultant from a foul i n which winger Darren ‘ Dazza’ Christie was hacked by Malanti goalkeeper Colani Mngometulu inside the danger zone.
Dombo mi s s e d a g l o r i o u s chance to make it 2- 0 after he was set up by Spider, but saw his powerful shot cleared for a throw- in 20 minutes into the game. Dazza took defenders on a solo run before letting loose a low shot to beat the goalkeeper on t he l eft fl ank i n t he t hree minutes before the break.
They were not yet done as Spider completed his brace and put t hings beyond Malanti’s r e a c h whe n h e mad e i t 3 - 0 with a rasping shot to beat the goalkeeper from t he edge of the box two minutes into the second half.
Save
In response, Sandile Mazibuko almost reduced the deficit but Sundowns goalkeeper Felisizwe Vilakati made a beautiful save just before the hour- mark. Mazibuko eventually scored their consolation goal to make i t 3- 1 a f t e r pul l i ng a vol l e y inside the area a few minutes later. Striker Felisberto Bocuane had a chance to score in the 75th after Sundowns goalie dropped a loose ball but he took forever to react and allowed the former to recover and clear the ball to safety.
The hosts almost stretched t heir l ead i nside t he cl osing 20 minutes of t he match but Spider hit the side net with a volley. There was pressure for a s econd goal f r om Malanti
TEAMS:
D. Sundowns: Felisizwe, Sibonelo, Samkelo, Makhosi, Mandl a, Phinda, Darren, Mthokozisi, Linda, Mancoba, ( Mduduzi) Mike ( Tony)
Malanti Chiefs: Colani, Muzi, Si t h e mbi s o , Sel u l e k o , Z i p h o , Sifiso, Muhle, Kwanele, ( Neliswa) Sandile, Myalo ( Feliberto)
MATCH OFFICIALS: Referee: Thulani Sibandze
Assistants: Bhekani Zulu, Sibusiso Nxumalo
Fourth official: Thami Ginindza
Match Commissioner: Milton Khoza
but Mazibuko saw his low shot from the left flank easily saved by the Sundowns goalkeeper.
It could have been worse for Malanti but Sundowns were denied a fourth by the woodwork as Bongumenzi Dlamini had fended off two defenders before l etting fly a powerful ground shot, summing up the day.