Home | Sports | ‘BULL’ VS ‘WESLIANS’

‘BULL’ VS ‘WESLIANS’

Font size: Decrease font Enlarge font

MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders will face fellow giants Manzini Wanderers in a mouth-watering SwaziBank Cup semi-final clash on Sunday.


The two heavyweights, who sneaked into the last four after surviving the torturous penalty shoot-out against Matsapha United and Manzini Sundowns, were drawn together at a packed SwaziBank Auditorium in Mbabane yesterday. The fixture is a repeat of the 2009 SwaziBank Cup final, which a Khayelihle ‘Karas’ Dlamini-inspired Mbabane Highlanders won by 2-1.

Attendees of yesterday’s draw roared in excitement, as the two teams were pitted together. The first team out during the draw were Young Buffaloes, who were followed by Highlanders.

When the first pairing was made, it turned out to be a forces derby between holders Buffaloes and 2004/2012 champions Green Mamba. Wanderers’ name was the last to come out of the pot, and it became obvious they would have to face the 2009 and 2010 champions in their bid for a maiden title.


While the teams had fair share of wins in previous cup meetings, they all recorded victories in the league against each other this season. Highlanders won 4-1 in the reverse fixture, but Kola Aladeon-inspired Wanderers recorded a 1-0 win in the second round.


fireworks


The Green Mamba and Buffaloes clash also promises fireworks following an interesting head-to-head record. The sides met in the 2012 instalment of the tournament and the green and white ensemble won by 2-0. Two years later, they crossed swords in the two-legged semi-finals of the Castle Premier Challenge and Green Mamba had the last laugh with a win on away goals.

  The aggregate score was 2-2, as the decider had failed to produce goals. In the league this season, Buffaloes completed a double following 1-0 and 2-0 wins.
Reacting to the draw, Highlanders CEO Celucolo ‘Dino’ Dlamini said the team welcomed the fixture. Wanderers Manager Berger Nxumalo also said the maroon and white outfit was up to the challenge.


“We want to play in Africa, so we have to win the tournament. We can’t allow Highlanders to stand in the way,” he said.


Results


Green Mamba CEO Thami Phakathi said previous results would not matter in the fixture, stressing that they were looking beyond the 2017 champions.
“We are the only team that still have representation in all three divisions of the tournament.

Comments (0 posted):

Post your comment comment

Please enter the code you see in the image: