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Mawelela appoints Sipho, Mbaya for Buffaloes match

02/05/2009 00:00:00 BHEKISISA MAGONGO

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MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders’ senior player Sipho Sibandze will be leading the team this afternoon against Young Buffaloes in the absence of bereaved coach, Zonke Mawelela.

The player, who has strug-gled to make the starting line-up in the team, has been chosen by Mawelela toge-ther with midfielder Mbaya Katala to be in charge of the team this week. And of the two, it is Sibandze who will be planning the downfall of the opposition, as the Black Bull seeks to consolidate their lead at the top of the log standing.
Coach Mawelela has not been with the team this week, following the demise of his brother, whose funeral is this morning at Ngcul-wini outside Manzini.
He confirmed the duo’s appointment when called.

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“The team will be led by Sipho Sibandze and Mbaya Katala. There is also Madz-ala Ngubane, who is, howe-ver, expected to pass a late fitness test for the match. Yesterday (Wednesday) I was at the training to monitor how they are executing their duties, and I was happy with what I saw.”

The coach will not make the fixture despite that the funeral is earlier on the day.
“There is no way I can be on the bench on Saturday (today), but I trust the players to do the job,” he said.
Sibandze when called, said he was honoured by the appointment, though adhoc.
“I think more than anything, the team has demonstrated their trust in me and it is up to me and my colleagues not to disappoint the coach and the team at large.” He said everyone was raring to go and that it was only Ngubane who suffered a knock during Sunday’s derby win over Mbabane Swallows.
Team PRO Dumisani Sibandze urged supporters to continue rallying behind the team, despite that the coach would not be there.

“He has done his job and the only change is that this time he will be coaching through Mbaya and Sipho.”
Highlanders face star-studded under-performing army side this afternoon at the Trade Fair Ground. They will also be without roving left back Mpendulo ‘Baiano’ Kunene, who has been nabbed by the notor-ious yellow card rule.