Ezulwini United……………………………(1)3
Banele 16th, 60th, Bongiswa 84th
Amawele…………………………………..(0)0
SOCCER – Ezulwini United flexed their muscles against Amawele after securing a convincing 3-0 victory in their MTN Premier League opener played at Ka-Langa Technical Centre yesterday.
Banele Nkambule starred for the winners with a brace while Bongiswa Gama added the third goal to complete a comfortable victory for the Stingers.
The hosts created several promising opportunities during a competitive opening half and quickly took control of proceedings.
Banele Nkambule and Banele Sihlongonyane injected pace and purpose into the Stingers’ attack while Sambulo Vilakati provided a strong focal point in midfield.
Their sustained pressure eventually paid off in the 16th minute when Nkambule beat Amawele goalkeeper Mlondi Dlamini from close range to give Ezulwini United the lead.
The striker came close to doubling the advantage moments later after Dlamini committed a foul on the edge of the box. However, Nkambule failed to capitalise on the resulting opportunity, ballooning his effort wide of the target.
Amawele struggled to find their rhythm in the final third and offered little threat going forward.
Their attacking efforts were comfortably contained by the Stingers’ defence, leaving goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula with very little to do during the opening 45 minutes.
The match went to break with Ezulwini United leading 1-0.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Ezulwini United maintaining control and dictating the tempo.
Nkambule came close to adding another goal in the 52nd minute when his long-range effort was parried away for a fruitless corner by the Amawele goalkeeper.
The hosts continued to press and Siboniso Motsa was also denied from close range as Amawele battled to keep the scoreline within reach.
Caleb Ngwenya’s charges continued to play with purpose and their persistence was rewarded in the 60th minute.
Another defensive error by Amawele presented Nkambule with an inviting opportunity and the forward made no mistake, calmly guiding the ball home to complete his brace.
With the clock winding down, the Stingers remained firmly in control and continued to threaten on the counterattack.
Their dominance was rewarded once again in the 84th minute when Bongiswa Gama outpaced a defence marshalled by Khwezi Matsebula before finding the back of the net to make it 3-0.
Amawele were unable to mount a late comeback and referee Ntokozo Khoza brought the contest to an end after 90 minutes.
The final whistle confirmed a commanding opening-day victory for Ezulwini United while Amawele were left with plenty of work to do ahead of their next league assignment.
Amawele are now under the ownership of former Mbabane Highlanders Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe, who acquired the team’s Premier League status.
This was the team’s first official match since he took over and it proved to be a rude welcome back to local football.
MTN Premier League results:
Mb. Highlanders 0-0 G. Mamba
Moneni Pirates 1-0 Nsingizini
PPK Professionals 3-1 Red Rhinos
Celtics 1-1 Madlenya
Manzini Sea Birds 3-3 Royal Leopard
Ubombo Sugar 1-0 Mb. Swallows
Ezulwini United 3-0 Amawele
Rangers 1-0 Y. Buffaloes
