Nsingizini’s elite dream shattered
MBABANE – Professional golfer Nobuhle Dlamini played a score of even par 216 in the Aramco Team Series – Bangkok to earn close to E100 000.
The three-day tournament was played at the Thai Country Club and it was sponsored to the tune of about E16 million.
It was also among the highest sponsored tournaments under the Ladies European Tour (LET). Dlamini was level with United States of America (USA) player Kelly Whaley, who also received the EUR5 389 (About E100 000).
Dlamini had already earned over E300 000 under the LET since its inception in February. She is also playing under the Ladies Sunshine Tour. Based in South Africa, Dlamini has recently reassured that she was not about to renounce her citizenship and even before that, she had just given back to her fellow home golfers at the junior level.
She hosted her inaugural Nobuhle Dlamini Golf Junior Tournament to be held annually.
The first edition had the Prime Minister, Cleopas Dlamini, launch and tee it off at the Ezulwini Golf Course, formerly Royal Swazi Golf Club.
Madlenya ............... 2
Sehluko 74th, Njabulo 83rd (Pen)
N. Hotspurs ........... 1
Meshack 51st (Pen)
ALANGA – The oldest team in the MTN National First Division League Madlenya FC took visible strides to the ‘Promised Land’ after their 2-1 win against an unfortunate Nsingizini Hotspurs yesterday.
Nsingizini, who were leaders for a long time in the league and have won the first round incentive now stand to miss out on the elite promotion despite all the ambition they had. It is almost over as it is no longer in their hands and it may be impossible that Madlenya lose their last two games, next season they can try again. Meanwhile, Madlenya, a Lubombo-based side has spent over a decade campaigning in the second-tier of local football without being promoted. They now trail behind log leaders Seven Dreams by five points with two games to play.
The William Gamedze-coached Madlenya edged closer to the elite league, but nothing is guaranteed for them as well, as they may have to go on and win their last two games or risk being overtaken by Hlatikhulu Tycoons. Also, if Tycoons lose today against Young Movers, then Seven Dreams will be promoted this afternoon while Madlenya will need about four points. Back to the game, it was the visitors who opened the scoring through former Moneni Pirates player Meshack Lushaba. This after youngster and man of the match Mayibongwe ‘Saurez’ Mabuza was brought down inside the box as he negotiated his way towards goal by the advancing goalkeeper Dumisani Dlamini.
Lushaba took the responsibility and sent Dlamini to the wrong direction to provoke wild scenes of jubilation from the Izinyoni Zolwandle stand. The host team’s coach Gamedze played his ace well as he introduced Sehluko Nkabindze who scored his team’s first goal a few minutes into the game. He quickly changed the complex of the match as Madlenya frustrated Hotspurs’ defence for the last 30 minutes.
The Shiselweni-side eventually succumbed to Madlenya’s pressure as Sehluko benefitted from a rebound to blast home a rocket shot that rested in the back of the net, leaving goalkeeper Siyabonga Shiba sprawled on the turf. The Siphofaneni-based side’s never-say-die spirit eventually paid off seven minutes before regulation time as the goal-bound Sehluko was hacked inside the box by Captain Philane Nhleko. Njabulo Maziya made no mistake from the spot kick as he let fly a hard shot which left Shiba with no choice but to watch the ball as it kissed the back of the net. The result saw Madlenya maintaining second position with 43 points, placing themselves on course for elite promotion.
K(PICS: NTOKOZO MAGONGO)