CLASSY ‘BULL’ STOP MAMBA’S VENOM

(At Mavuso Sports Centre) 
G. Mamba...................... (1)1
Thabiso 41st 
Highlanders................... (2)2 
Sawa 6th, Mokenkoane 34th 

MANZINI - They were all out to win this match. From start to finish, Mbabane Highlanders remained dominant and dealt with pressure well at the back. They should have been two goals up within four minutes, but man of the match Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze and Vusumuzi Zungu were victims as they missed gilt-edged chances.

However, they were not to be denied for long by the unbeaten Green Mamba before this clash. Green Mamba had gone eight solid league games unbeaten but lost for the first time this season. Sawa was on target in the sixth minute with a far post curled shot that beat the goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi from the edge of the box.

With Green Mamba resorting to physical play as the game continued, Sawa was brought down inside the box, as he surged towards goal and referee Thulani Sibandze rightly pointed to the spot. South Africa-born striker Thabiso Mokenkoane stepped up to notch it in much to the amusement of the over 2 000 ‘Bull’ fans in the 34th minute.

Chances kept coming but the only goal witnessed after that was Green Mamba’s consolation in the 41st via the boot of left back Thabiso Gumbi. He caught Highlanders keeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala with a scorcher of a free kick from 25 yards out on the right wing. After the break, Highlanders started brightly again but let complacency creep in and started making mistakes that nearly cost them but they stood resolute at the back.

This was by far a telling game for Highlanders who gave their best so far this season. They are now second on the MTN Premier League table on 18 points; seven behind Green Mamba with four games left to the first round E350 000 incentive. The score could have been worse for Green Mamba as Highlanders were all over them and never stopped asking questions despite losing defender Vusi Vilakati towards the break through injury. 

The changes they made were also good enough to stand up to Green Mamba and by the end of the four minutes stoppage time, the fans could not hold their joy with one or two rushing to the field but marshals quickly avoided the situation from pitch invasion.

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