‘BULL’ TOO STRONG FOR 10-MAN WANDERERS

LOBAMBA – Revamped Mbabane Highlanders put 10-man Manzini Wanderers to the sword with a resounding 4-1 win following a superb display here yesterday.

The ‘Black Bull’, inspired by brace hero Michael Musonda, scored twice in each half to hit their stride against the hapless opponents, albeit with the visitors having to play nearly 90 minutes a man down following full-back, Nkosiyazi Maphosa’s sending off in the second minute.
Wanderers will wonder what might have been had Maphosa stayed on the pitch as they found themselves on the wrong end of a four-goal thrashing in the thrilling MTN Premier League opening match at the country’s soccer Mecca.
Coach Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe was handed his biggest defeat since his return to the team towards the end of past season, while Highlanders shot to the second spot on the charts after day one – behind Manzini Sundowns, who brushed aside a listless Red Lions by 4-0 in an earlier game.

Wanderers were dismantled as early as the second minute as Maphosa floored nimble-footed forward, Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, in the box.  Even before Highlanders’ impressive recruit, Michael Musonda, could convert the resultant spot kick, the visiting side were dealt another blow as referee Mbongiseni Fakudze showed Maphosa a red card for alleged use of foul language in reaction to the incident.
While Wanderers, who threw debutant Mike Dombo from Matsapha United into the deep end, had the required mileage to last the game, they could not match Highlanders’ quality. 
They were already 2-0 down inside 20 minutes as ‘Fash’ had doubled his team’s tally after he squeezed the ball past a forest of legs from a Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze cross in the 19th minute.

Hlophe immediately made two changes as he sacrificed the inexperienced duo of Isaac Mwanza,and  Phila Dlamini for the returning Sicelo ‘Junior’ Simelane and Ali Matse, respectively.
Against the run of play, the maroon and white outfit reduced the deficit through dependable skipper, Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya, who rose highest to connect a Sihle Mkhonta free kick just after the half hour mark – much to the relief of the side’s loyalists, who were visibly frustrated on the South stand. For a moment, the roaring home supporters had ants in their pants, but their favourite side took the narrow lead to the break.
Wanderers had started the deciding half with renewed vigour and for a moment they looked like they would eventually restore parity. Their chances were headlined by Dombo’s miss. He blasted the ball wide from close range following a swift attack in the 72nd minute.

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