BY THEMBA ZWANE
LOBAMBA- Ayanda Gadlela’s solitary goal on the 97th minutes was enough to see Nsingizini Hotspurs lift the Ngwnyama Cup for the first time ever.
The striker superbly curled the ball on the right flank just at the edge of the box to brilliantly beat Green Mamba’s Lindokuhle Manda to help his side win the ultimate prize of E1.45 million of the 8th edition.
Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa had the opportunity to level matters two minutes later when he was fouled inside the box and Green Mamba was awarded a penalty but failed to rise to the occasion as his unconvincing shot was saved by Nsingizini’s Sibusiso Dlamini.
Green Mamba had the first opportunity to take the lead 4 minutes into the game but they were unlucky as Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane missed the target one on one with Nsingizini Hotspurs goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini after eliminating two defenders.
At the 16th minute of the game, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s effort outside the 18 area box was well collected by ‘Insungizi Yezulu’ as they are affectionately known, goalie, Sibusiso.
Nsingizini’s real scoring chance came at the 6 minutes before the half-hour mark when jerse Thubelihle Maviso’s well executed set piece effort was parried over the cross bar by Green Mamba goalkeeper, Manda.
Again, a minute after the half-hour mark, Thubelihle’s close range shot inside the 18 area box was well collected by ‘Inyokeluhlazana’ man in-between the poles.
The Green Mamba goalkeeper, Lindokuhle Manda, was the busiest compared to his opposition counterpart in the first half. The goalie make a crucial save just five minutes before the going to the break.
Nsingizini was booked by the referee Celumusa Siphepho two minutes before the break following a serious foul on Mamba’s Siyabonga Zwane
The two giants shared the spoils going to recess and shared almost equal ball possession.
The two teams started the second half on a high as they both played attacking football but neither could find the back of the net.
Nsingizini opted for fresh legs and made a few changes in the second stanza introducing Luyanda Nhlengetfwa and resting Mlungisi Hlatjwako in the 56th minute.
Their second substitution came on the 71st minute where ‘Insingizi Yezulu’ rested Quality Dlamini and introduced Daniel Okurinmenta. At 10 minutes before the end of regulation time, neither side had found the back of the net.
Green Mamba’s Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa was instrumental for the correctional outfit in the middle of the park with quality football distribution and strong on marking when not in possession of the ball.
The game ended in a goalless stalemate and the teams had to proceed to extra time where it was eventually decided.
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