‘BULL’ DOWN KAPPA BOYS!

LOBAMBA – Honey-throated Mbabane Highlanders fans hyperbole celebrations threatened to raise the dead at the nearby Mdzimba Mountain after the inconsistent Capital City giants snatched a 1-0 victory over Manzini Sundowns, in controversial circumstances here yesterday.

Dancing like nobody was watching, the Highlanders joyful fans were in such rhythmic song and dance the embroidery revelry even threatened to take the Somhlolo National Stadium roof from its hinges. It was eerie parallel of the days after the return from the MTN National First Division League, when they came within a whisker of ending their 16-year wait for league glory. It was a sight to behold. The celebrations, no iota doubt, continued throughout the country well into this morning. Yesterday, under controversial circumstances, captain fantastic, Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze nudged Sundowns defender, Bongani Dlamini from behind, who tripped on fellow defender, Anaduaka Ejike who in turn collided with brave goalkeeper, Lwethu Simelane. Midfield maestro, Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule had floated a long ball into the box. ‘Chocco’ took the loose ball and fired into the net, leaving the Sundowns bench hopping mad at referee Thembinkosi Dlamini for failing to acknowledge the infringement and protect the goalkeeper. The goal stood. The incident came just four minutes after Highlanders goalkeeper, Sidumo Vilakati had pulled off a world-class one hand save to deny Phumlani Ngwenya from three yards out when he fisted the Sundowns man’s glancing header over the bar.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Sundowns goalkeeper, Lwethu Simelane, the undoubted man of the match, pulled off a brilliant save, from point-blank range, a shot by Michael Musonda. He parried the stinging shot for a fruitless Highlanders corner kick, one of the five they had on a blazing hot Sunday afternoon at the country’s soccer Mecca. Then two minutes into referee’s first half added two minutes period, ‘Chocco’ profited from the infringement which left Sundowns players fuming and netted his fourth goal of the campaign. Five minutes after the restart, Sundowns head coach Ernest Mavuso fired some harsh words at the direction of fourth official, Mbongiseni Fakudze after the referee, Thembinkosi Dlamini, failed to award his team what looked like a legitimate penalty when a cross by Sandumuzi Zwane was blocked by defender, Mncedisi Dlamini with his left arm. Referee, Thembinkosi Dlamini was not interested.
In the 52nd minute, Sundowns goalkeeper, Lwethu was once again called upon to pull off another brilliant save, blocking a point blank rasping shot from Highlanders Zambian-born striker Michael Musonda who had found acres of space on the left flank. Highlanders second substitute Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini was guilty of a horrendous miss seven minutes from time when he fired wide with the goal beckoning.

Most grandmothers around the country would have converted the opportunity while leaning on their walking sticks. It was a dreadful miss but mattered not, as Highlanders held on to their solitary goal to snatch all three points which lifted the ‘Black Bull’ who were led by former assistant coach, Dumsani Dlamini, to seventh on the log standings, one place above yesterday’s opponents Manzini Sundowns.

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