By Sibusiso Masilela
(At Moses Mabhida Stadium)
Nsingizini Hotspurs…………………(0) 0,
Stellenbosch……………………….. (2) 3,
Andre de Jongh 35th, Dewin Titus 42nd, Fawaaz Basadien 70th
HEARTBREAK! That’s how it felt for the 300 travelling Nsingizini Hotspurs fans after South Africa’s Betway Premiership side, Stellenbosch FC thrashed ‘Insingizi YeZulu’ 3-0 on their maiden CAF Confederation Cup appearance in a preliminary first leg clash played at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
The scoreline has given Nsingizini a mountain to climb, as they now need to score at least four unanswerable goals in the return leg, scheduled for August 24, 2024, at the same venue.
The green and white ensemble was haunted by stage fright and lapse in concentration, which contributed to the opponents bagging two goals in the opening stanza.
The Western Cape-based side drew the first blood in the 35th minute through Andre De Jongh, who slotted home a Dewin Titus low cross as the home side’s defence was in sixes and sevens.
Titus broke the hearts of the over 300 emaSwati, who had travelled with the team three minutes before the break when he doubled the lead with a calm finish after a communication breakdown between Nsingizini goalkeeper Sibusiso ‘Bharaba’ Dlamini and defender Nkosingiphile Shongwe.
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The goal handed the South African side a two-goal cushion heading to the breather. Nsingizini coach Alexis Sergion made an early change a few minutes into the breather by introducing Zimbabwean international Junior Zidonga for Yekisizwe Khumalo.
The former Maritzburg United striker, Zidongo, showed some good qualities as he piled pressure on the opposition’s defence. The Steve Barker-led side sealed the match in the 70th minute from the spot kick though through a Fawaad Basidien.
This came after Nsingizini goalkeeper ‘Bharaba’ Dlamini fouled Lehlohonolo Mojela inside the box on a break attack, thus causing the Eswatini side upsets as they head to the return leg.
Nsingizini
Sibusiso Dlamini, Meshack Lushaba, Mncedisi Dlamini, Pius Baffour, Nkosingiphile Shongwe, Reagen Kangumbu, Thubelihle Mavuso, Sambulo Simelane (Alvin Shabashi), Yeki Khumalo (Junior Zidonga) Neliswa Dlamini (Sinenkhosi Dlamini), Bongiswa Dlamini ( Mvuselelo Mthethwa).
Stellenbosch
Sage Stephens, Brendan Moilisane, Kyle Jurgens, Fawaaz Basadien, Athenkosi Mcaba, Jayden Adams, Sihle Ntuli, Andre De Jongh, Dewin Titus, Sanele Barns, Lehlohonolo Mojela.
*****************
M. Swallows…………….(0) 1,
Madja 47th
Ferroviaro………………..(0) 0,
By Chris Dlamini
(At Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium, courtesy of Instacash)
IT will take just another 90 or so minutes for Mbabane Swallows to meet South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round.
Swallows outfoxed Mozambique’s Ferroviaro da Beira 1-0 in the first leg on Friday evening at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Pretoria, South Africa. New signee and undoubtedly man of the match Karim Madja nodded home two minutes into the second half.
He finished off from yet another new signing in former Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows winger Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula’s corner kick delivery. Madja was also defensively brilliant alongside Kingsley Kwakyi, Siphosethu Mabilisa, and Philiso Newman.
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Otherwise, it would have been 2-0 in favour of the red and white outfit by half-time, but two good chances went begging. Karas was first to miss when he broke loose on the right wing edge of the box, tempting the Ferroviaro goalkeeper Julio Americo Matavele. However, instead of going for the far post, the young winger went for the near post. Julio put a crucial touch to it as he spread out his legs before the effort brushed the upright and resulted in a corner kick.
The second chance fell for Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, who the Mozambicans had singled out as one to watch closely. Shabalala could not get that decisive touch on the ball as it fell invitingly on his path inside the six-area box, but he completely missed the ball, making it an easy catch for the goalkeeper. Gadlela had delivered the cross into Beira’s danger zone.
It was a result that Swallows needed to be in a better position to progress and meet Sundowns in the second preliminary round, especially when they hosted away from home.
Swallows will now look to protect the advantage by going for a win again in the away second leg next Sunday in Beira, Mozambique. Meanwhile, the stadium was quiet, with only the travelling supporters including Moneni Pirates and Green Mamba, watching the match live. They saw Swallows survive an early injury scare when forward Ayanda Gadlela went down following a tackle as he dashed towards goal.
He was stretchered off but managed to continue with the game.
MBABANE SWALLOWS LINE-UP:
Sandanezwe Mathabela, Philiso Newman, Siphosethu Mabilisa, Karim Madja, Kingsley Kwakyi, Kwakhe Tfwala, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala (Siyabonga Zwane), Leon ‘Chester’ Manyisa, Ayanda Gadlela, Given Lukhele(Mancoba Vilakati), Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula (Nhlanhla Ngwenya).
