‘BIRDS’ FACE SA PIRATES IN CAF DRAW

BY LWAZI DLAMINI
Sports Editor
(At Nsukuwansuku Stadium)
Mb. Highlanders ..........(0) 1,
Sawa 57th
Matsapha United .........(0) 0,

MHLUME – A 57th minute penalty expertly converted by Mbabane Highlanders versatile player, Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze sent the travelling bunch of the ‘Black Bull’ supporters into untold scenes of jubilation here yesterday.

‘Sawa’, one of the most outstanding players for the capital city giants this season, won the penalty after his flicked on ball was handled by Clement Sibandze inside the box. The penalty came just five minutes after one of the many numerous muti beliefs fuelled off-the-field dramas that marred this lukewarm encounter. Highlanders have now moved to the sixth position on the MTN log standings after claiming their fourth win of the season.

If the endless muti belief fuelled battles behind the goal-post of Matsapha United goalkeeper Innocent Obonai was nauseating, as Highlanders fans picked up a black plastic bag next to the goal posts suspected to be containing a foreign substance, the on-the-field drama which culminated in the second bookable offence for veteran defender Sihawu Dlamini left a bitter taste in the mouth.

The former Royal Leopard and Sihlangu defender was sent off by referee Thembinkosi Dlamini 10 minutes before fulltime, after being suspected of having carried a foreign substance inside the field, which he had picked from substitute Sandile Magongo.

skirmish

In the first of its kind in local football, referee Thembinkosi did not waste time in handing the lanky defender marching orders after the set of players were involved in a skirmish over the black foreign substance in Sihawu’s right hand. Matsapha United, who have now suffered seven defeats in eight games, played like a cannon fodder and a badly mixed bag of vegetables, which has left them lying on the foot of the table in their maiden season.

The confusion that marred their ownership and change of name is showing on the pitch with a colourless performance. Not that Highlanders too were classy but the ‘Black Bull’ enjoyed a lion’s share of ball possession, but their profligacy in front of goal was Saul Chaminuka’s main undoing.

They could easily have been a goal behind from as early as 30 seconds into the game when Matsapha United striker Sifiso Dlamini raced through on goal only for goalkeeper, Khanyakwezwe Shabalala to pull off a brilliant save in a one-on-one situation.

The opening chance ought to have ignited the spark for this clash, but it could only provoke the opposite as both teams struggled to exert themselves into the match. If boredom could kill, the 1 000 fans at this modest stadium would have left in a hearse.

Referee Thembinkosi was guilty of dereliction of duty when he waved play-on after Highlanders captain Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze was brought down inside the box by Sihawu Dlamini two minutes after the half-hour mark.

But 12 minutes after the recess, the referee pointed to the spot after Clement Sibandze handled a Sawa Gamedze flick on. The Sihlangu star player rose up to finish sublimely for what turned out to be the winning goal, which moved ‘Inkunzemnyama’ to the sixth spot on the log standings.

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