TOUGH DEBUT TEST FOR ‘KOKI’

MBABANE – Inconsistent Mbabane Highlanders come into this evening’s tricky clash against Young Buffaloes with renewed vigour following a major shake-up in the coaching staff.

Seasoned gaffer Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati is back after about a half-a-decade absence while Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini will reportedly revert to the technical director post. Highlanders’ loyalists will hope the return of Vilakati will be the turning point. The latter won about a dozen trophies with neighbours Mbabane Swallows. There is no time for ‘Koki’ to settle down, as he has to pass what looks like a tough Buffaloes test tonight. The ‘Black Bull’s record against ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ does not make for reverting reading. In the last 10 league meetings, the capital city giants have prevailed only once. It was back on January 13, 2016 and it was a narrow 1-0 win. This means Highlanders are winless against Buffaloes in the league in over 540 minutes of football. 

Stalemates

There was no winner in last season’s match-ups which ended in 1-1 and 0-0 stalemates.  The black and white ensemble might be in revenge mode following a 4-1 thrashing in the final of the Ingwenyama Cup back on Sunday, March 17, 2019. However, they will be relieved to face a wounded Buffaloes who are still trying to pick up the pieces following a major upset in the CAF Confederation Cup last Friday. They lost 3-0 to South Africa’s Bidvest Wits to crash out 3-1 on aggregate in the second round of Africa’s second-tier clubs’ football tournament. Dominic Kunene’s troops’ full focus is now on the league and they are playing catch-up, as they have four games in hand.

This means their mental fortitude will put to the test. The league race has started in blistering pace and they have to win all pending games to keep up with the ‘big boys.’ They boast a flawless record in their two games played so far. A win can steer 10th-placed Buffaloes to the top four with nine points while Highlanders can reclaim the third spot with 12. It promises to be a blockbuster and there will no room for error.

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