‘BULL’ MISS PENALTY, BUT MOVE OUT OF DROP ZONE

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Highlanders.................... (0) 0
Wanderers...................... (0) 0

LOBAMBA – It did not take even 10 minutes into the game to vindicate the PLS on its decision to fixture the tie between fallen giants Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers at 1.30pm.

In fact, the consensus at the sound of referee Simanga Nhleko’s final whistle confirming a yawning barren draw, was that the game should have been played as early in the day as possible because in all honesty, in produced nothing in terms of creativity.

The sleep inducing encounter, confirmed one thing about the two teams who are going through their leanest spell – that it would take a lot of hard work for them to regain their place among the best in the league.

Highlanders needed the points more than their opponents because of the ever menacing relegation axe, even though the result lifted them a place above the drop zone, only on superior goal difference to Red Lions who lost 0-1 earlier in the day to Manzini Sundowns.

And they could have bagged all three points had they converted from the spot, after Sifiso Dlamini was brought down inside the box by Sihle Mkhonta, who was rightly cautioned for the incident, nine minutes from the recess. But trusted servant and top scorer Menzi Sithole saw his shot bravely saved by the vastly improving Manzini Wanderers goalkeeper, Banele Dlamini.

Before that incident, the match exposed one thing about the two teams; that they now lack quality players who can swing a tie on its head. At Highlanders, long serving captain Xolani ‘Choco’ Sibandze was as good as not at all, failing to pose any threat to the opposition. While on the Wanderers side Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe struggled against a new look defence marshalled by Muzi ‘Mzo’ Dlamini and Zambian Cosmas Kabaza.

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