‘Koko’ steers Wanderers to 3rd win
Mnz. Wanderers ............ 1
Koko 44th
Rangers FC .................... 0
ANZINI – A 44th minute headed goal by Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama transported Manzini Wanderers to a much-needed third win of the season here yesterday.
‘Koko’, signed from Tinyosi FC at the start of the season, netted his second goal of the campaign when he finished off with a glancing header a well-weighted cross from Fabrice Mopina on the left flank.
The goal condemned struggling Rangers FC to their fifth consecutive defeat after the Shiselweni-based rookies started the season brightly, winning the opening two games of the season. Yesterday, the premier league rookies led by Mthunzi Ginindza, who faced his former employers for the first time, gave a heart-warming performance, but lack of concentration and composure in front of goal proved to be their main undoing.
Before conceding the goal, they had the chance to take the lead in the 37th minute but Sibonelelo Mhlanga miscued his shot right inside the box after a beautiful cross from the right flank by Sandile Thwala.
As if to pay dearly for the missed
Mchance, Wanderers punished them a minute before half time when ‘Koko’ netted with a beautiful header what turned out to be the winner in this closely-contested encounter. ‘Koko’ could have scored the second goal of the match in four minutes into the second half after receiving a lacerating pass from Majahesibili Ndlovu, but with goalkeeper Mduduzi Mngometulu at his mercy, his weak shot was easily collected by the Rangers FC goal minder.
COUNTER-PRESSING
Rangers, whose counter-pressing frustrated Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe’s predominantly youthful side missed a chance to equalise when Simiso Shongwe fired over the bar from the near post just before the hour mark. Two minutes on the hour mark, Sandile Thwala broke free, came face to face with Wanderers goalkeeper Mxolisi Dlamini but the shot stopper made a brave save.
Wanderers should have put matters beyond Rangers in the second minute of referee Thembinkosi Dlamini’s added time but Rangers FC goalkeeper Mduduzi made a point-blank save from a booming shot by substitute Thembisa Shabangu. In the end, Wanderers, to the joy of their motley group of supporters recorded their third win of the season.