’KEEPER SIDUMO TAKES ‘BULL’ TO SEMIS

Highlanders….................…… (0)0
Tambuti…….................…….. (0)0
Highlanders won 6-5 after sudden death penalties

LOBAMBA – Faltering giants Mbabane Highlanders’ goalkeeper Sidumo Vilakati has become an overnight hero after starring for his goal-shy side in the 6-5 sudden death penalty shoot-out win over hoodoo outfit Tambuti.

For a moment, the 2009/2010 champions forgot about their relegation woes as the towering shot-stopper denied Tambuti forward, Fabrice Mopina, from 12 yards before scoring the decisive penalty in the dull SwaziBank Cup quarter-final clash at a nearly packed Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday.

After more than two hours of drab football, Highlanders, who had lost 1-2 in two previous meetings against Tambuti, were flawless in the spot kicks and marched closer to their first final appearance in five years. They have joined fellow heavyweights, Manzini Wanderers, Young Buffaloes and ‘team of the moment’ Matsapha United in the semi-final ahead of this morning’s draw.

With a blunt strike force, Highlanders were like playing a game of darts with spaghetti. They got stuck into a forest of bodies with no shot on target after the re-start. The midfielder, Simanga Magongo-inspired Tambuti, on the other hand, were compact, but their talisman, Ugochukwu was submerged upfront.

The ‘Black Bull, who had noticeably thrown a struggling Mzwandile ‘Navara’ Ndzimandze into the deep end, had started the game in blistering pace, with an improving skipper Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze testing goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi, from long range in the 10th minute. The latter stuttered on the goal-line, with Sifiso Dlamini tapping in the rebound from close range. However, the roaring home supporters’ joy was short-lived as the attempt was rightfully ruled out for offside by second assistant referee, Sifiso Zondo. It was the incident that headlined the goal-less opening period.

Tambuti, who  were in search of their second straight semi-final appearance, had woken up from their slumber on resumption of play, with Ohakwe twice ruled out for offside after firing home from a Zwakele Dlamini supply just before the hour mark.

The game had lost momentum towards the end, and the fervent spectators had to endure a tiresome 30 minutes extra-time. When the inevitable eventually happened, Highlanders converted all their penalty kicks through the returning Mphucuko Dlamini, Menzi Sithole, Mzomuhle Dlamini, ‘Chocco’, Mohammed Sabella, and the former Sihlangu goalkeeper, provoking wild celebrations from their supporters, who would have easily thrown a 24-hour party at the country’s Mecca. Tambuti’s dead rubber penalties were scored by centre-backs, Machawe Khumalo and Siboniso Ndzabandzaba, as well as the trio of Roy Mamba, Ugochukwu Ohakwe and goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi.

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