Africa-Press – Eswatini. LOCAL CAF envoys, Green Mamba have it all to do in the second leg after losing 0-1 to Mozambican side, UD Songo.
The two sides met in the first leg of the CAF Champions League preliminary round at Estadio Zimpeto yesterday.
The home team started on the front foot and it paid off for them with just six minutes on the clock, as they grabbed an early lead.
They scored through their captain John Banda, who capitalised on defensive mishap to put the home side ahead.
At this stage of the match, the home side was all over the opposition.
The away team spent the following 20 minutes trying to acclimatize to the heavy coastal breeze as well as the pace of the match.
UD Songo kept a slight advantage in that time and they were relatively close to doubling the lead by the goalkeeper was up for the challenge.
The visitors regrouped and started stringing a few passes.
Mamba started pushing forward as they made a number of attacks.
Mxolisi ‘Kudus’ Mkhonto almost helped setup the equaliser, after he dummies the defence before rolling a pass to Njabulo Thwala, who narrowly missed the target.
Effort
Njabulo ‘Magwegwe’ Magagula also had a chance to level matters but his effort when straight into the arms of the goalkeeper.
The match went to break with the home side leading 1-0.
The second half saw coach, Ernest Mavuso making an early change, bringing in striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa for ‘Magwegwe’.
UD Songo almost doubled their lead two minutes after the restart but Reginaldo Fait’s header hit the cross bar.
Songo captain, John Banda was a menace to the opposition, especially in the middle of the park as he came close to making it 2-0 but his effort skimmed past the face of goal in the 65th minute.
Two minutes later, Green Mamba also missed a great chance from a corner which saw Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu’s shot miss the target by an inch.
‘Kudus’ saw his free-kick effort go wide as he tried to get the equaliser.
The last 15 minutes of the match saw Inyoka Eluhlaza throwing all sorts of missiles as the opposition in search for a goal. They also grew in confidence as they launched a number of attacks.
‘Sikhali’ saw his trademark header come agonizingly close but the keeper was up to the task.
The home side held out for the closing minutes of the match as the referee blew the final whistle to ensure they have a one goal advantage going into the second leg.
It will be a do-or-die encounter for Green Mamba next weekend with a win sure to guarantee them progression to the next stage.
Teams
UD Songo
Emmanel Mandiranga, Sidique Musasagi, John Banda, Tinotenda Muringai, Dayo Antonio, Webster Muzaza, Daniel Mutambe, Reginaldo Fait, Agenor Sande, Ernan Siluande, Elias Pelembe.
Green Mamba
Xolani Gama, Colani Dlamini, Mcolis Manana, Banele Dlamini, Mxolisi Mkhonto, Mthunzi Mkthontfo, Njabulo Tfwala, Njabulo Magagula,
Sibonakhonkhe Silenge, Njabulo Ndlovu, Khetokuhle Mkhontfo.
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