Africa-Press – Eswatini. New kids on the block Ezulwini United advanced to the next round of the Trade Fair Cup with a 4-2 victory on penalties over defending champions Royal Leopard after the match finished on a 0-0 draw at the Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
It was shot-stopper Siyabonga Magagula, who transported the MTN Premier League rookies to the quarter-finals after saving a penalty.
This was an entertaining match to watch as both teams came hard at each other.
Ezulwini United started the game on the front foot but did not really test Leopard goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhaya, with a glancing header that went over the bar by Siboniso Motsa the best effort in the first 10 minutes.
The game was played at a frenetic pace and the visitors got more into encounter as Henock Katumba and Phiwokuhle Ndzingane had efforts on goal but could not break the deadlock.
Leopard had a glorious chance to open the scoring when Junior Magagula provided Muzi Dlamini with a clean pass but he failed to beat the goalkeeper. The two teams did not give another space in the middle of the park.
It was an end-to-end stuff with the teams entertaining the crowd with great football.
They matched each other pound for pound but it was Ezulwini United that would now and again threaten to score.
The match went to break at 0-0.
The second half was just as riveting as the first as both teams refused to give an inch and the tackles kept flying in as the referee dished out yellow cards.
Lungelo Simelane should have put his team ahead five minutes after the interval, but he shot over from close-range after the Ezulwini United defence failed to deal with a cross into the box.
Ezulwini shot-stopper Siyabonga Magagula kept his side in the hunt as he made a brilliant double save to deny Leopard with a long-range shot from Linda Mbuli.
The visitors threw everything into their attack but it also left them vulnerable on the counter which made for a fascinating match, but Leopard failed to grab their opportunities.
The police side launched a number of counter attacks but Ezulwini remained resolute.
Ezulwini United’s Mphucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini was the menace to the opposition as he gave the defenders no breathing space.
Ezulwini United player Andile Dlamini, was ruled offside in the 58th minute.
Both teams were let down by poor finishing. Royal Leopard goalkeeper Mlamuli Makhanya also made a brilliant save in the 67th minute.
The match ultimately finished at 0-0 and it went straight to penalties. Ezulwini United took the early advantage as Siyabonga Magagula saved from Muzi Dlamini while they converted their first four spot-kicks. They won 4-2 after penalties.
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