Swazi Observer

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SEA BIRDS CROWNED MTN NFD CHAMPS

By Qondile Ntiwane | 2018-05-14

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SOCCER - MANZINI Sea Birds bounced back to the premier league in style after beating strong favourites Mbabane Citizens to the championship.

The Manzini side recorded a 2-0 victory during the title decider played at the Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday.

The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for Citizens having led the pack for the better part of the season.

Sea Birds scored their first goal as early as the 9th minute after being awarded a penalty by the referee following a foul inside the box.

Citizens tried to force a comeback with South Africa-born Sikhulile Sekgotho troubling the opposition at the belly of the park. Citizens came close to making a breakthrough in the 24th minute after being awarded a spot kick by the referee. They were, however, denied by Sea Birds goalkeeper Lindani Mtsetfwa, who made a daring save. Sea Birds failed to add to their tally a minute before the breather when Nkosikhona Tsabedze directed a shot wide after being awarded a place kick outside the box.

Citizens came close to finding the elusive equaliser 12minutes into the second half but an effort by Senzo Dlamini was cleared by Sea Birds' Mfundo Zwane. Sea Birds’ Wandile Nhleko squandered two sitters when he, after beating the opposition goalkeeper Sandile Dlamini, sent his shot slightly wide.

Citizens' Senzo tried to make amends two minutes before time but his volley bounced off the bar.

With 10 minutes of added time, Citizens, who needed only a draw to lift the trophy, thought they could make a comeback but it was not to be as Sea Birds made it 2-0 in the referee’s added time. They scored through Muzi Tsabedze, who fired a volley past Dlamini.

Thereafter, Citizens huffed and puffed but it was just not their day as the referee blew the final whistle, sparking wild celebrations from the Sea Birds family as they will take home E60 000 and a trophy.

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