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Assistant coach Mpendulo Mawelela, who was in charge of the team on the day as Terrisayi Changara had been relieved from his duties ahead, pulled off Sihle Mkhonta and Menzi Mamba after they seemed to have had problems with their muscles.

With nine minutes to go before the breather, Ayanda Gadlela grabbed another one after he was picked by the advancing Badenhorst into the box. From the restart, Wanderers looked a regrouped side, matching the opponents. They pressed the visitors but lacked cutting-edge.

The game could have changed for worse in the 70th when Wanderers goalkeeper Sitali Nyambe was given marching orders by referee Letticia Viana for handling the ball outside the box for a fruitless free kick by Badenhorst, who was hunting for a brace.

Paired

Captain fantastic ‘Mlaba’ stepped up for the team to man poles. Khulekani Fakudze tried to pull one back in the 77th minute, but saw his effort paired off the bar by goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela for a fruitless corner kick.

With five minutes before regular time, Nkambule denied Kwakhe Thwala a goal from a shot that was taken outside the box. He could not manage to, however, maintain a clean sheet between the poles as veteran Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko nodded in the last goal in the 93rd minute. Nhleko benefitted from a cross brought by Nhlanhla Ngwenya.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Felix Badenhorst (M. Swallows): He is aging like fine wine and has proven why he can still be entrusted with the national team duties. He broke the deadlock for his team while making key attacks during the first half-hour mark. He went only to deliver a classic pass that Ayanda Gadlela converted into the third goal.