Moneni Pirates (0) 1
Bonkhe Masika 46th
Manzini Wanderers (0) 0
Mbabane Swallows and Green Mamba fans joined those of Manzini Wanderers at the Mavuso Sports Centre eastern stand, cheering the struggling maroon and white giants in their search for an elusive second win of the MTN Premier League season.
It was a display of sympathy, companionship and, most importantly, concern, as arguably the most supported and storied club in the history of Eswatini football has the relegation axe hanging menacingly over its head.
The collective support was as if the supporters were saying, ‘Wanderers yindzaba yetfu sonkhe’, loosely translated as, ‘It is now everyone’s concern.’
Concern there must be, not just among the fans but within the league as a whole, as Wanderers remain one of the biggest brands in the country. However, despite the collective backing, Wanderers suffered yet another crippling defeat at the hands of Moneni Pirates — their 13th of the season after 18 matches.
Manzini Wanderers have been a dominant force in local football, winning four league titles in their rich history.
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Their last league triumph came in the 2002/2003 season — the first competition under MTN Premier League sponsorship. Since then, the once-mighty Weslians have endured a steady decline and, 23 years later, are still searching for another league crown.
They now sit rock bottom of the MTN Premier League standings with just seven points. The closest team in the relegation battle, Sisonkhe, are 12 points better off.
With 12 matches remaining — and 36 points still to play for — there remains a mathematical lifeline. Returning head coach Nyanga Hlophe, affectionately known as ‘Crooks’, said last week that every remaining game must be treated as a final.
Despite showing glimpses of promise, Wanderers could not find the back of the net against a stubborn Moneni Pirates side.
A Bonkhe Masika strike a minute after the restart was enough to earn Pirates maximum points and bragging rights in the city of Manzini.
Pirates had made a bright start, with captain Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane rattling the crossbar from a set-piece at the quarter-hour mark.
The breakthrough finally came a minute into the second half when Masika unleashed a shot from the edge of the box that struck the underside of the crossbar and crossed the line.
The eastern stand fell silent — a stark realisation that another defeat loomed.
Veteran Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko made his first start for Wanderers since rejoining the team before the January transfer window closed two weeks ago.
At 44 years of age, the experienced forward was Wanderers’ standout performer, linking play and injecting much-needed confidence into the youthful side.
Wanderers registered seven attempts at goal — six wide and only one on target. ‘Samba Jive’ contributed three of those efforts during the 78 minutes he spent on the pitch before being replaced by Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule.
Pirates nearly doubled their lead before the hour mark when Man of the Match Senanelo Nkambule struck the crossbar after being set up by Richard Ofosu.
Wanderers’ only shot on target came four minutes after the hour mark when captain Siphamandla Manana fired from distance, but goalkeeper Qiniso Nyawo gathered comfortably.
Late substitutions by coach Hlophe added urgency, but there was no equaliser as Wanderers slipped to another defeat in what is shaping up to be their most disastrous campaign in recent memory.
