Controversial win LIFTS 'Landers hopes

(At Rocklands Stadium)

PIGG’S PEAK – A questionable decision by referee Sithembiso Nya-wo that earned Highlanders a dubious penalty, left Manchester coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati wishi-ng that his former team, Highla-nders should not win the league title.

In fact, the coach made it clear to both the press and his counterpart at Highlanders, Zonke Mawelela, after the match that his wish was to see Highlanders failing to win the coveted title in May after benefitting from dubious referee’s decisions.

It was not a far-fetched wish though, and the over 500 suppo-rters who watched the match could agree with the fuming mentor that his team was dealt a major blow by the whistle-man. Nyawo did the unthinkable when he pointed to the spot from what was an obvious ball-to-hand situation. This was after a cross by Cisse Boungant had hit the hand of Simanga Dlamini. Making the decision distasteful was that a similar incident was ignored on the opposite end when a goal bound shot hit Madzala Ngubane’s hand.

That aside, the ‘Black Bull’ whose title hopes were hugely revived by yesterday’s victory following Leopards 2-3 loss to Swallows, were the better of the two teams.

That was despite missing the quartet of Khayelihle ‘Karas’ Dlamini, Nana Dlamini, both for unexplained reasons, Mbaya Katala, who was nabbed by the yellow card and Eugene Dlamini.

The goal, which came a minute after the hour mark, was indeed cursed by a section of the supporters, after the referee had harshly adjudged defender Simanga Dlamini to have handled a cross by Cisse Boungant inside the box.

‘Fash’ who had rested Majaheni Hlatshwako, converted from the spot kick before he was later rested after accumulating a yellow card for dissent.

The first half was evenly contested with the Premier League rookies having more shots at goal. They should have taken a lead in the second minute when Mfundo Magaya’s shot was blocked for a corner at six yards. They were back nine minutes before the first half hour mark, this time youngster Muhle Shiba was unlucky when his side footed shot shaved the cross bar and went wide. With 10 minutes before the break, Highlanders got their first real chance, but Xolani Sibandze’s shot was saved by Mbongeni Motsa. A minute later, Motsa made what was the save of the match when he tipped over the bar, a Majaheni shot from 12 yards.

After the break, Highlanders were the dominant side, especially after the introduction of ‘Fash’ Ndzima-ndze for Majaheni. After converting the spot kick they had other chances to increase the margin only to be denied by the acrobatic Motsa between the poles.

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