Africa-Press – Eswatini. MALANTI Chiefs are engaging the second gear when it matters the most- in the MTN Premier League second round in an attempt to cheat the dreaded relegation axe.
They have successfully done it in previous seasons and yesterday’s emphatic 2-0 win over fellow strugglers Denver Sundowns at their Killarney Stadium was nothing but a statement of intent. Goals on either side of the half were not only enough to take Malanti away from the MTN log standings’ basement but ignited hope just on the first game of the second round.
Mfundo Mkhabela opened the scorers’ chart with a glancing header from a Kwanele Dlamini free kick in the 36th minute.
Nkosing’phile ‘Musona’ Dlamini won it for the host after 76 minutes as he arrived at the far post to nod home an inch perfect Sandile ‘Lion’ Mazibuko delivery on the right to take Malanti to 12 points. Sundowns had started brightly here, enjoying a larger chunk of the possession but it was Malanti who were dangerous on the break.
Mkhabela should have scored as early as the eighth minute but slid wide a low ‘Lion’ cross.
A minute after the quarter hour mark, Kwanele perfectly released ‘Lion’ but the speedy winger’s shot was pushed for a fruitless corner by goalkeeper Lwethu Simelane. Sundowns’ real chance of the opening half saw goalkeeper Xolani Gama fist away a treacherous Siphamandla Maseko free kick in the 24th minute.
Three minutes after resumption, the ‘Kappa boys’ almost got off to a perfect start as Mike Dombo forcer Gama to go down to save a sneaky ball but ‘Musona’ later won it for the gold and black outfit.
TEAMS:
Malanti – Xolani Gama, Sandile Mnisi, Kwanele Dlamini, Seluleko Mdluli, ‘Kia’ Simelane, Zipho Ngcobo, Phinda Ginindza, ‘Lion’ Mazibuko, ‘Musona’ Dlamini, Mfundo Mkhabela, Muhle Shiba (Msimisi Mayaba)
Sundowns – Lwethu Simelane, Sibusiso Manana, Msimisi Manana, Bhekinkhosi Mlotsa, Makhosi Mtsetfwa, Mohamed Kabia, Langelihle Dlamini (‘Spider’ Maseko), ‘General’ Hlatshwako, Simanga Shongwe (Issa Serry), Siphamandla Maseko (Ian Bhembe), Mike Dombo
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