By Sibongiseni Zondi | 2018-04-21

Sihlangu................. (0) 1

Namibia.................. (0) 0

SOCCER - It was never going to be an ordinary football match. Not on the 50th anniversary of the country’s independence. Not on His Majesty King Mswati III’s 50th birthday.

Not on a day when the country got a new name. Sihlangu and opponents Namibia got the script and served up a match for the ages at the Mavuso Sports Centre on Thursday evening.

It was a match that had everything. From a penalty miss to a red card and a late, late goal, Sihlangu’s victory over Namibia in the international friendly to mark the end of the 50/50 double celebrations will live long in the memory of those who were at Mavuso on Thursday night.

And of course, it was officiated by Swazi officials led by referee Thulani Sibandze.

There was already a huge sense of anticipation long before kick-off as the nation stayed behind and eagerly awaited the start of the match which began just before 6pm. As the two teams came out, Sihlangu were greeted by a huge roar of approval. The people had been longing to watch the national side. Indeed, this was Sihlangu’s first match on home soil since July 2017.

The supporters were boisterous. Not even the drizzle that dominated much of the first half could deter them. Every Sihlangu attack was loudly cheered on by the home crowd. Lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, Sihlangu had Mandla Palma and Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo as the two holding midfielders.

 flank

Captain Tony Tsabedze and Musa Dlamini were on either flank while Felix Badenhorst played behind lone striker Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini.

The locals dominated the first half, with Tsabedze and Nxumalo, in particular, the driving forces of the home side’s attacks. But poor finishing, particularly from Phiwa and Badenhorst, who both squandered big chances in the stanza, meant the match went into the break goalless. Both Phiwa and Badenhorst would contrive again early on in the second half to miss two huge chances.

The Young Buffaloes forward missed a one-on-one and then Badenhorst shocked the stadium when he blazed wide a penalty that had been given for a foul on Phiwa.

The Sihlangu technical bench knew a win was needed and soon made changes. Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini, Barry Steenkamp, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko and Melusi Mkhwanazi were all brought on at different stages of the second half as Sihlangu continued chasing for the elusive opener.

But instead the locals were reduced to 10-men as rightback Linda Mkhonta saw a red card for a second bookable offence in the dying moments of the half. Soon after, three minutes were added on and it seemed as though Sihlangu’s goal would never come. Until ‘Samba Jive’ stood over a freekick in the last second of added minutes.

The veteran winger played the ball into the box. Steenkamp tried to pull off a shot as the ball bounced but it hit a Namibian defender and came towards ‘Manyovu’ who poked it with all his might. It was in. Soon, the Royal Leopard winger was running in celebration towards the corner flag as Mavuso erupted in celebration.

Dining at the other end of Mavuso, His Majesty might have heard the sound of celebration as fans invaded the pitch at the final whistle to celebrate the victory. He might have beamed a huge smile across his face as someone whispered in his hear that his boys had conquered Namibia. A perfect way to cap off a historic day in the history of the Kingdom of Eswatini.

 Teams:

Sihlangu

Mathabela, Mkhonta, Mkhweli, Makonese, Siboniso Mamba, Palma, Mlilo (Magawugawu), Tony (C) (Melusi), Musa (Wonder), Felix (Manyovu), Phiwa (Barry)

Namibia

 

Maova, Hambira, Karonge, Hanamub, Tjatindi, Ketijere (C), Papama, Shitembi, Hoveika, Keimune, Mupenzi (Useb)

 

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