AMALANDA SEND ‘WESLIANS’ PACKING 03/02/2014 05:20:00BY CHRIS DLAMINI LOBAMBA – Unbelievable! Indeed the SwaziBank Cup has not lost any of its romance – this tourney of shocks and upsets still loves them big. Colourful Manzini Wanderers fell with such a big thud it could be heard as far as the small town of Nhlangano where celebrations no doubt spiralled deep into the night and into the wee hours of this morning. Amalanda, the Shiselweni regional side, campaigning in the region’s Super League was the toast of a drama filled Sunday afternoon at Somhlolo National Stadium during the grand opening games of the tournament. They stunned their more glamorous opponents, booting them out of the preliminary stage of the lucrative tournament – to invoke sad memories of the 2004 first round defeat to Illovo. It was a stunning performance by the regional side – one that proved it is not big name tags that win games, no. The unfashionable regional team simply wanted it more. They attacked in packs like wild dogs, defended resolutely and in numbers like cornered buffaloes to stun the Wanderers’ players who had probably won the game even before it was played. Ironically and perhaps not a sight the ‘Weslians’ faithful wanted to see, their former player, Lwazi ‘Shumi’ Mamba was at the forefront of their troubles, leading the Amalanda strike force with so much verve and vitality as their target man. He may have failed to score but the Wanderers’ defence was always in sixes and sevens whenever he and his terrifying teammates swarmed the opposition’s danger area. In all honesty though, it had appeared to be another routine win for the hub giants, under the guidance of South African coach Kenny Ndlazi, as they broke the ice through anchorman Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze midway through the opening half. He out jumped a ball watching Amalanda defence to guide home a Sidumo Shongwe rebound. Shongwe’s shot had crashed against the horizontal before Sikhondze pounced to open the scoring for his team. Wanderers’ joy was however cut short. It was only about four minutes later when in a quick counter attack the regional side was awarded a penalty by referee Mbongiseni Fakudze. This was after Sanele Chauke handled the ball inside the danger area. Amalanda goalkeeper Phila Mamba ran the length of the pitch to beat his opposite Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza with ease. The teams were ordered to the break tied. It took about two minutes after the recess for Amalanda to find the winner. Impressive central defender Calvin Mahlangu rose like a humming bird to connect with a clinical header a well floated corner kick on the left flank. It was the killer blow. The sucker punch really, as it took the stuffing out of Wanderers. The history books will reflect that despite spirited attempts by the hub giants, it all came to zilch. Man of the match: Calvin Mahlangu: The Amalanda central defender did not only score the stunning winner with a clinical header but frustrated Wanderers for longer spells at the back with his no no-nonsense defending. He was like a rock at the back and capped a wonderful afternoon with the well taken winner – running half the length of the pitch to connect from a corner kick on the left flank. The team’s goalkeeper, Phila Mamba also did exceptionally well and thwarted a number of Wanderers chances. Save of the match: It has to be Amalanda’s goalkeeper Phila Mamba’s magical save midway through the second half of the game when the hub giants came calling. A pile drive from Wanderers’ Sifiso Matse looked to be headed into the roof of the net only for the acrobatic goalkeeper to dive to his left and save what could have been Wanderers’ equaliser. Shot of the match: Wanderers’ Sidumo Shongwe’s first half stinger hit the cross bar with the goalkeeper at sea. Papi Sikhondze then converted from the rebound. Goal of the match: Amalanda’s Calvin Mahlangu scored with a cracking header that gave the normally dependable ‘Nkomishi’ no chance between the Wanderers’ goal posts. Moan of the match: Both teams created numerous scoring opportunities only to fluff the majority. This is one game that could have produced more goals. Weather: Sunny and hot Referee: Mbongiseni Fakudze: Once again, it was a good day in the office for the seasoned referee. Crowd: More or less 4 000 soccer lovers
Posted on: Mon, 03 Feb 2014 06:48:16 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015