Defending champs Malanti crash out!

(At Somhlolo Stadium)

The defeat also denied reigning Player of the Series Sabelo Hlatshwako a chance to defend the award he won last season.

The match, which was watched by over 1500 supporters, had all elements of a derby on and off the field, but in the end of it all, it was the struggling National First Division side that came out tops.

Backed by the roaring Mbabane Highlanders supporters, Bush Bucks played a game of their lives from the onset until the final whistle.

A crackling header by lanky striker Morris Ginindza, who was later booed out, separated the two sides. And an attempt by Mfundo Dlamini to clear the ball proved to be a futile attempt, as the ball was adjudged to have crossed the goal line. However, the win never came on a silver platter for Bush Bucks who worked tireless the whole afternoon before coming out victorious.

They were always spot-on in their marking and captain Phumlani Dlamini’s leadership skills at the back proved decisive. His anticipation was timely and he got the needed assistance from crowd favourite and right back Banele Fakudze who initiated several moves on the flank.

Malanti Chiefs were the first to make an attempt at goal, when Vusi Madinane who was kept under surveillance by Mduduzi Dlamini shot wide from inside the area, two minutes into the match.

Bush Bucks goalkeeper Bongani Fakudze denied Sabelo Hlatshwako in a one on one situation two minutes later, when he threw his body to block a goal bound shot wide.

Bush Bucks had their first shot at goal four minutes later, when Mbongiseni Thwala shot over the bar after being dispatched by the pint sized Mduduzi Dlamini in the midfield.

The First Division side nearly broke the ice 24 minutes into the game, when a stunning free kick by Mduduzi was tipped for a fruitless corner by Sitali Mulife. Two minutes later, came the goal from another corner kick. This time Mduduzi floated the ball in the area and the lanky Ginindza rose above the defenders to nod a hard one which Mfundo tried to clear before it crossed the goal line but the defender’s efforts were in vain as referee Gilbert Dlamini signaled it was a goal.

Malanti did make some attempts to question the goal, but referee Gilbert could not be swayed.

The Benjamin Chilongo side had a chance to level matters five minutes later, but Sandile Motsa skewed a shot wide with goalkeeper Bongani Fakudze out of his area.

Another chance for Malanti went begging when Phumlani Mkhize headed over the bar a well delivered cross on the left flank by Mfundo Dlamini.

The score remained unchanged at half time and Malanti pressed for an early equaliser at resumption.

Sabelo was again the villain seven minutes after the break when he shot wide inside the area. And when Phumlani Mkhize’s shot was blocked by the goalkeeper at 12 yards nine minutes later, defeat was beckoning for the defending champions.

Four minutes later, they thought to have finally leveled matters, when Mfundo’s cracker from an indirect free kick was ruled out by referee Gilbert Dlamini because the ball had not been played by two people as per the rule.

Chilongo made changes in his team, when he took out Muzi Dlamini for Nhlanhla Kunene and Sandile Motsa for Ntokozo Zitha. The change did nothing to improve their performance as Bush Bucks stuck by their game plan, which was to close them down quickly.

The sound of the final whistle by the referee was accompanied by a rip-roaring cheering from the entire stadium as Malanti Chiefs crashed out of the tournament.

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