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MOLOPO BREAKS ‘BULL’S HEART, WITH LATE EQUALISER

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(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Malanti...................................... (0) 1
Molopo 86th
Highlanders............................... (1) 1
Thabiso 39th

LOBAMBA – After the 6-0 demolition of relegated Mbabane Midas City a fortnight ago, Mbabane Highlanders supporters had hope for another stroll this time over Malanti Chiefs.


What did they get? It was more of two points dropped than a point gained after leading for close to 50 minutes in the match before conceding with four minutes to play. Coach Mlungisi Professor Ngubane wore a long face at the sound of the final whistle for the simple reason that his charges literally let their opponents off the hook.


He was angry at the numerous glorious chances fluffed by Mthobisi Mngomezulu, Thabiso Mokenkoane, Menzi Sithole and skipper Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze during the match.
As if that was not torturous enough, the coach couldn’t believe it when a harmless cross was allowed to elude both Simphiwe Manana and goalkeeper Sidumo Vilakati for the lurking Charles Molopo to head home the equaliser four minutes remaining in referee Simanga Nhleko’s watch.


Highlanders, had taken the lead six minutes before the recess, when Mthobisi held his marker at 30 yards out, rolled a pass on the path of the overlapping Vusi Vilakati, whose pin-point cross at five yards was tapped in by Thabiso for his third goal in two games for the team.
Three points would have lifted the Black Bull to within the top six with five games to go.


And their pursuit for at least a top four finish would have been massively enhanced. Ngubane, whether out of sheer frustration at the two points dropped or what, ended up also blaming the result on rustiness. “The stop and start in the league is affecting clubs and we were not sharper today, hopefully we will regain our rhythm in the next game,” he said in a post match interview.


However, the majority of the about 1000 fans who watched the game yesterday, would not entirely agree with the mentor. Highlanders, it is true that they had chances to bury the tie nice and early but missed them, due to complacency.


They did not work hard enough to win. Instead, Malanti Chiefs would and should always attribute everything they got from nothing but their determination and hard work throughout the game. Ngubane was also guilty of making a poor substitution taking out a livelier Charles Musonda for a jittery Allen Mabuza who he had to hurriedly pull out for Sibusiso Dlamini. The wasted substitute did not make things easier for his team.


In all the missed chances, it was Mthobisi Mngomezulu who 16 minutes into the game, received a gift-wrapped cross from Thabiso on the byline. He was unmarked at 10 yards and instead of tapping in at the same time, he controlled turned, and by the time he shot, it was blocked for a fruitless corner kick. Thabiso forced a daring save on Malanti’s Ntokozo Shabangu on the hour mark with a glancing header at six yards from the impressive Vusi Vilakati.
The point was kill-joy for the ‘Black Bull’ fans who had come hoping for another celebration.

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