IMPROVED ‘BULL’ HOLD SUNDOWNS’

Highlanders..........................(0)0
Sundowns..............................(0) 0

LOBAMBA – A vastly improved, but new-look Mbabane Highlanders were full value of the precious point they got against hoodoo side Manzini Sundowns yesterday.

Coach Herbert Maruwa presented a line-up that had only four regular players in it - Sidumo Vilakati, Xolani Chocco Sibandze, Menzi Sithole and Sibusiso Mkhonta.
The rest were players signed during the January window period and among them were two players promoted from the club’s Under-20 side and the bold move paid dividends in the first game.
Left back Thabo Mabuza was rock solid at the back, bottling the troublesome Justice Figureido the whole game.

Winger Melusi Dlamini could have grabbed a brace had he finished off two gilt-edged chances in the first half, after exploiting spaces on the right flank. In both instances, the youngster, who is also from the juniors’ side lacked composure.

In the first chance, Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze had threaded a pass into the penalty box and the player shot wide a minute after the first quarter of an hour.
The second chance, which was the best for the team in the game, came seven minutes before the recess, Menzi Sithole, who had a brilliant game, ghosted past defenders and picked the youngster with a lacerated pass, but once again the striker smashed the ball wide off target to the chagrin of the Highlanders faithful who were already celebrating a goal.

From the balance of play, Highlanders, who were a lot better tactically controlled the first half, forcing the opposition to make several errors that, however, were not punished. 
Darren Dazza Christie was not given any space in midfield where former Stumbo XI player Ndumiso Mabuza worked his socks off. He was a candidate for the Man of the Match.
Sundowns were better after the recess, but still chances were far and few. ‘Dazza’ had one moment 20 minutes from time, after wiggling past defenders before shooting narrowly in the near post.
The point lifted Highlanders to the top eight at 14 points with a better goal difference to Tambuti F.C.
They had been done a huge favour by Moneni Pirates who earlier in the day beat Red Lions 2-1 to keep them rooted at position 11. Manzini Sea Birds were also beaten by Mbabane Swallows 2-0 in the last game.

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