Wanderers make it 3 in a row
S. Dreams .......... 0 M. Wanderers...1
Koko 76th
BABANE – From the bench to being a hero is what Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama was for Manzini Wanderers yesterday.
The enterprising former Ezulwini United forward did not only become a hero but handed his team a breather, in as far as their relegation threat is concerned. This was also Wanderers’ third successive win at the Prince of Wales arena, as they started with rookies Seven Dreams, edged Denver Sundowns last weekend and then Seven Dreams again in the second round clash of the MTN Premier League.
MINTRODUCTION
He was on target 14 minutes after his introduction. Koko clinically finished off a low pass from Majahesibili ‘Gigg’s’ Dlamini to take the lead inside the last 20 minutes. The goal turned out to be the winner for Wanderers as no other goal was scored until the final whistle. While the win does not change the position for Wanderers in the standings as they remain 11th, they are at least six points clear from the drop zone as two teams will be relegated when the season ends. The win comes just a few days after Wanderers lost two major players in midfielder
Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini to Mbabane Swallows and forward Fabrice Mopina, who is closely linked with a return to Moneni Pirates, as well as goalkeeper Phila Mamba, due to unpaid salaries for at least five months now.
The match was otherwise balanced with both teams enjoying equal ball possession. The first clear attempt at goal came 10 minutes into the game, when impressive midfielder Sibonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini let fly a scorcher, which almost caught Seven Dreams goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza napping.
TIPPED
Just five minutes before the half-hour mark the rookies’ debutant in former Royal Leopard midfielder Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele’s long drive was tipped for a fruitless corner by the ever alert Sitali Nyambe between the Wanderers sticks.
The game went for the breather still goalless. Upon resumption of the second half, the rookies’ striker Sandile ‘Mshina’ Dlamini’s long range shot was tipped for a corner. Man of the Match William Kunene, who gave Seven Dreams a torrid afternoon could not believe his eyes when his well-taken shot at close range was cleared for a corner kick. The last 20 minutes of the game belonged to the winning team which introduced super sub Koko two minutes after the
MAN OF THE MATCH:
William Kunene (M. Wanderers) - The former Mbabane Swallows winger was a marvel to watch as he tormented Seven Dreams defence the whole afternoon. He added numbers upfront and drifted well when defending. He was unlucky not to have scored at least a brace in the match.
hour mark. He did not waste time, but handed his team the much-needed winner 14 minutes later, and also 14 minutes from time.
He benefitted from a nice pass from Gigg’s after a good interchange of passes from the hub giants on the right flank. William nearly added a second for his side when his free header, a few minutes before time was cleared for a corner kick with the keeper well-beaten. The last chance
of the game fell for the host team, through Mthokozisi Dlamini but his shot inside the box narrowly missed the target with Nyambe at sea. There was no coming back for Seven Dreams, as they finished under pressure and remain at the basement of the table with seven points in 14 matches. They will need to start collecting maximum points if they hope to survive the axe in their upcoming 12 games.