LOW-’LANDERS

Sundowns ..................(1) 1
Sicelo 42nd
Highlanders ..............(0) 0

MANZINI –In a massive twist in the capital city title tale, Mbabane Highlanders suffered a defeat that somehow confirmed a looming decline in their performance. It was not just losing 0-1 to a resolute Manzini Sundowns, but it was the manner in which they lost-playing their worst football since losing the derby 1-4 to resurgent rivals Mbabane Swallows who have notched up six straight wins from the derby win.

No one could fault coach Enerst Mavuso for his post match interview comment, when he said the club that performed horribly against the Kappa Boys was unknown to him, when considering how they swept away clubs in the first round. Winning was a bridge too wide for them to cross yesterday, as they hardly strung passes around.

The absence of now deregistered South African playmaker, Vusi Mashinini, who watched from the grandstand, was glaring in the midfield that lacked any creative element. The twist in the whole tale was confirmed by this weekend results, with Swallows grinding maximum points against a fellow title challenging side, Young Buffaloes, 2-1 on Saturday in what was their sixth win on the trot. At Mavuso Sports Centre, Highlanders lacked coordination against a tactically sound Sundowns side that was completed by a strong defensive unit well marshalled by Phumlani Dlamini and Jimoh Moses.

Phinda Ginindza, who has just recovered from an injury, bossed the belly of the park, where ageing Sam Mbaya Katala was the shadow of the player who was voted the 2008/09 MTN League Player of the Season. The Congo-born midfielder has no energy, bite and could not pass salt across dinner table. The pace of the game was too much for him, and Sundowns could have scored more than the lone goal, especially in the first half, which they hugely dominated.

The normally dependable Ayanda Lumkwane was a frustrated figure upfront; with Lungelo Tsabedze and one woefully off form Bhekani Tsabedze struggling. It was not a good outing either for recently signed Benele Manyatsi who played at right back, before limping off injured in the second half for Njabulo Tsela. Highlanders should thank the son of former Mbabane Swallows striker Thabo ‘Sparrow’ Hongwane who twice fluffed golden opportunities that could have killed the game in either halves.

The first chance fell for the striker 17 minutes into the match, after Phinda had lifted a pass above the static defence, leaving Hongwane with the keeper to beat. But he woefully lifted the ball over the cross bar when scoring looked the easiest task. Sicelo Mkhwanazi scored with three minutes before the recess, from a tight angle in a well-worked move that involved Phinda, Darren, and Mlamuli. Hongwane had a chance to seal it two minutes before the hour mark, but shot wide at 10 yards from a well-worked move on the left flank by Darren who had dribbled past a holidaying Sibusiso Dlamini.

They paid for the miss, six minutes from time, when second half substitute Sifiso General Mazibuko dribbled past two defenders and came face to face with Sanda Mathabela, but shot straight at the keeper with the anxious Highlanders supporters celebrating a goal.

The win took Sundowns to mid-table with 22 points, but for Highlanders it kept them a distant nine points from leaders Royal Leopard at 39 points.
Man of the Match: Former Mbabane Swallows industrious midfielder Phinda Ginindza bossed the midfield with aplomb, making Mbaya Katala to chase shadows. He defended well and linked play upfront.
Weather: Sunny and hot
Crowd: About 1 500 fans.

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