Madlenya shock ‘Weslians’
Madlenya .................... (1)1 Njabulo 39th
Wanderers .................. (0)0
BIG BEND – It was a dream start for Premier League rookies Mandlenya FC, as they stunned Manzini Wanderers 1-0, yesterday at Mayaluka Stadium.
Wanderers were the only big team that suffered a defeat during the opening games, as Mbabane Swallows played to a draw against Young Buffaloes, while Mbabane Highlanders beat Tambankulu Callies 3-0
Njabulo Maziya’s 39th minute strike ensured Wanderers were humbled in front of their over 700 fans.
Madlenya Head Coach Ncamiso Nxumalo said this was a morale boost for the players, as they would gain confidence after claiming Wanderers’ big scalp. Nxumalo said the team played according to plan, which was to score a goal and then protect it. He believed that the home advantage also worked for them.
Meanwhile, his counterpart James Kunene, felt Wanderers played well as it was their first official match. He believed that the team would perform better in the next matches. He was in charge in the absence of one of the Co-Coaches Mduduzi ‘Sikhalo’ Nxumalo, who is on national duty. humiliating score. Mkhonta found himself picking up the only yellow card of the game after a rough tackle on 19-year-old Ngcamphalala, as Madlenya continued to exert much force on the visitors’ defence.
After almost what looked like a goalless first stanza, Njabulo Maziya broke the deadlock in the 39th minute. He Mandlenya, however, struggled in finished off a ball that was cleared by the first few minutes of the game, the goalkeeper from a curling corner with the maroon and while making taken by Sithembiso Msibi. brilliant overlapping moves through Wanderers tried to respond quickly, former Mbabane Swallows left-back as their frontline clicked which Vukile Khumalo, who started the saw Madlenya right back Machawe game. Failure to click in the last third, Dlamini even picking a knee injury however, worked against them and the which then forced him out of the game opponents gained some confidence as just few seconds before the half time. the game progressed. The two went for a breather and
‘Jozi Gobana’, as Madlenya are Madlenya brought in Thabiso Dlamini affectionately known, found a footing for injured Machawe, while Wanderers into the game as they made and completed maintained their first 11. passes, and most of their shots On resumption of play, Wanderers
froma reached the goalkeeper. Madlenya’s seemed a much better team in terms troublesome trio of Njabulo Maziya, of organisation. The ‘Weslians’ pulled Sithembiso Maziya and eventually out Phathizwe Mabuza for Bong’menzi Man of the Match Sethu Ngcamphala- Dlamini. The search of the goal continued la had Sihle Mkhonta busy at his office, but the home team remained as he had to save Wanderers resolute to grind out the result.
Struggled MAN OF THE MATCH:
wide from an edge of the box attempt.
The ‘Birds’ had to do two forced substitutes after ‘Nunu’ and Kingu Pemba were involved in separate injuries. Sandile Hlatswako and Thabo Vilakati had to come in and they did try, as they quickly adapted in the high flowing game. The game went into the breather with the Musa Manyatsi-led charges enjoying the one goal cushion.
After the restart, it looked like the home side would double matters but their efforts always did not yield the desired outcome. Even with the introduction of Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ ,Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, their attacks broke in the final third. The Sabelo Mnisi-led charges did not give up and kept on pressing the opponents high, but Swallows were resolute in their defence. Notably, Leon ‘Schuster’ Manyisa did well in the middle of the park, controlling the ball and distributed killer passes. However, the corner kicks yielded fruits as the army side finally restored parity with referee Thembinkosi Dlamini’s added time.
MAN OF THE MATCH:
corner of the net, stunning goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya. Coming back into the match after the break it was Sea Birds who made the first attempt at goal.
Nkhosikhona Tsabedze goal-bound strike was cleared by Thami Zulu. The two sides made numerous scoring chances but failed to convert them into goals until referee Thokozani Dlamini blew his final whistle to signal the end of the game and attracted celebrations from the visitors as they bagged a point away from home.