Eswatini: AmaZulu’s Ndlovu fires Nsingizini Hotspurs into final

A late goal from South African striker Senzo Ndlovu paved the way for Eswatini giants Nsingizini Hotspurs FC’s qualification to Ingwenyama Cup final on Sunday.

The on-loan AmaZulu FC forward saved the MTN Premier League champions from imminent semifinal defeat before they saw off Young Buffaloes FC 5-4 on post-match penalties at Mavuso Sports Centre.

Ndlovu decides Ingwenyama Cup contest

The two teams were deadlocked at 1-1 in regulation time before proceedings spilled over to extra-time then the penalties to decide the contest.

 

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Young Buffaloes thought they had done enough to book their place in the final when they scored in the first half through Bongwa Matsebula.

However, with seven minutes to full-time, the AmaZulu FC man Ndlovu pulled Hotspurs from the depth of defeat with an equaliser. He latched onto a flicked header in the channels to volley the ball with his right foot on the turn.

The MTN Premier League holders signed Ndlovu on loan from AmaZulu FC alongside his compatriot Daniel Dio, a former M-Tigers FC’s player in South Africa’s lower league.

Ahead of the semifinal on Sunday, Spurs’ South African coach Mandla Ghogi had named a strong starting line, that apart from Ndlovu, included skipper Kingsley Kwakyi and Sibusiso Dlamini. His counterpart had experienced campaigners such as Sandile Gamedze and Sali Matse on the turf.

Nsingizini Hotspurs will now date Green Mambas FC in the final of the cup after the later ousted Manzini Sea Birds earlier in another semifinal.

What next for Young Buffaloes FC?

Young Buffaloes have a chance to avenge Sunday’s loss as they meet Nsingizini Hotspurs again at the same venue in the MTN Premier League match on Wednesday. A statement from the losing semi-finalists alluded the to same fact.

“Football always gives another chance and Wednesday is ours. We go again with determination, pride and full support of the Buffaloes family behind us,” reads the statement.