INDOMITABLE LEOPARD ON TOP!

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Highlanders..…(0)0
Malanti……….(0)1
Papy 67th

LOBAMBA – Silekeleleni was the call from the Mbabane Highlanders’ grandstand as an expression of their disapproval with Zimbabwean coach Saul Chaminuka’s selection in yesterday’s MTN Premier League clash.

‘Silekeleleni’ is part of the lyrics in one of South African Gqom music stars, Dladla Mshunqisi’s tracks and translates to ‘help us’. This started a few minutes before the second half when Malanti started exposing the midfield and defence.

It got worse when Malanti deservedly took the lead in 67th minute through a nice header by Papy Faty. He nodded beautifully into the top far right corner a free kick delivery by Innocent Jere on the right flank.

Two minutes later, it could have easily been 2-0 but Lindo Fakudze had a goal disallowed after provider and scorer of first goal used a hand to move the ball away from advancing goalkeeper Mxolisi Dlamini. As this happened, the supporters shouted expletives to the bench and called for changes as star players like creative midfielder Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule, attacking midfielder Phumlani Ngwenya, striker Mthobisi Mngomezulu and first choice goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe were all on the bench.

The supporters complained of the mispositioning of players, saying playing Zungu as top man when he was natural central midfielder meant they were already minus a player and having defensive Menzi Mamba, who misplaced as many passes in the opening half in central midfield along with right back Simphiwe Manana, did not go down well with them.

punish

Malanti should have gone on to punish them with more goals but for their keeper, they escaped with the 1-0 defeat. Chaminuka only heeded to the supporters’ cries after 72 minutes when he brought on Mthobisi for Manana who fans had wanted in defence as opposed to being subbed. They called for back-from-injury right back Peter Dlamini to be rested as he was the weakest link and Malanti realised that just before the break.

They were unfortunate not to score in those last minutes before the break after Peter’s back pass put the keeper under pressure and hit a Malanti player when he tried to clear but Jimoh Moses was quick to save the day.

Highlanders wasted chances in the 45th but their best was a set piece just outside the box which hit the upright and went out for a throw-in. Striker Thabiso Mokenkoane had curled it nicely but was unfortunate not to see it go in. Then also, in the 90th, Mlaba who was a 79th minute substitute, received a cross from defender Sibonelo Dlamini but miscued his volley in the six-yard box unmarked and with the keeper Xolani Gama at his mercy. That was the last throw of the dice for Highlanders as the final whistle soon followed.

This meant a big blow to Highlanders’ league title ambitions as a win would have seen them go level on 35 points with second-placed Green Mamba but now find themselves tied with capital city rivals Mbabane Swallows on 32 points. Highlanders play third-placed Young Buffaloes next on Tuesday and they will meet them again on March 17 in the Ingwenyama Cup final.

Meanwhile, Chaminuka would not take of the supporters’ concerns as he said in the post-match interview it was not his fault they lost the match, also attributing it to injured players like Menzi Sithole and young but reliable centre-back Vusi Vilakati despite also being questioned on having enough quality at his disposal which the supporters blamed him for not using well.

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