Africa-Press – Eswatini. GREEN Mamba left it until late as striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa scored the lone goal to beat Moneni 1-0 during an MTN Premier League match played at Ka-Langa Stadium yesterday.
The defending champions are now trailing log leaders Madlenya by two points in the log standings.
The latter, however, have a game in hand.
Most of the football was concentrated inside the Moneni Pirates half during the opening stages of the encounter. However, no notable chances were created by either side inside the first 10 minutes of the match.
The game petered out to be an end-to-end affair with 20 minutes on the lock, however, both defences sat tight in warding off the respective attacking advancements.
Green Mamba could have scored in the 27th minute but Khethokuhle Mkhonto ballooned the ball over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa also saw his header miss the target two minutes later with Mthunzi Mkhontfo hitting the woodwork in the 34th minute as the visitors grew in confidence. However, the Buccaneers contained the Correctional Services side until half time.
As the second half commenced, the green and white ensemble piled on the pressure by asserting themselves on the ball.
Despite seeing less of the ball, the Buccaneers were not shy to commit numbers going forward and looked to attack at every opportunity. they almost scored in the 59th minute through Mazwi Sihlongonyane but goalkeeper Xolani Gama was up for the challenge as he made a great save.
The two teams came hard at each other in the last 10 minutes of the match but they were not clinical in front of goal.
After plugging away for much of the second half, Green Mamba’s pressure paid off in the 86th minute as ‘Sikhali’ got his name on the scoresheet with his trademark header.
Following a good passing move on the edge of the Pirates area, Ndzinisa managed to meet a telling cross from Njabulo ‘Magwegwe’ Magagula with a glancing header as Mamba nicked a positive result.
This was a bitter pill to swallow for Moneni Pirates, who are yet to record victory this season.
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