DRAMA AS 10-MAN ‘BULL’ HOLD ‘BIRDS’

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Swallows……..…(0)0
Highlanders…….(0)0

LOBAMBA – Dramatic, aggressive and see-saw!  These are some of the expressions that can best describe yesterday’s Mbabane derby between arch-rivals Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders, which ended goalless at a packed Somhlolo National Stadium.

Pre-match favourites Swallows were stunned by their 10-man neighbours, who had a section of their supporters screaming ‘daylight robbery’ after they felt they were denied what looked like a legitimate goal. 

South Africa-born import Josef Lekata had jumped highest to head home from a Sisekelo ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa corner kick only for the strike to be disallowed for a foul on a defender. It seemed to be a clean header with closest challengers Sifiso Mabila and Kingu Pemba seemingly a yard away. After all the drama, the neighbours reluctantly shared the spoils with the goalless draw for the second time in 266 days and Swallows saw their chance of winning the E350 000 first round ‘carrot’ blown away.

brushed

The capital city giants, who were watched by their President Bishop Bheki Lukhele for the first time,  finished the second round two points behind winners Young Buffaloes, who brushed aside Moneni Pirates with a 3-1 win in a simultaneous fixture. Lukhele noticeably made a grand entrance just after the start of the second half and waved to the crowd and marched on the synthetic track while being escorted to his seat at the VIP box and the home supporters crooned a brief song titled ‘Bhishabhi’ (bishop) to welcome him.

At the end of the proceedings, the visiting supporters were ready to roll the red carpet for their stars, who managed to grind out a point after playing over 40 minutes a man down after the sending off of Peter Dlamini, who was adjudged to be reckless in a challenge with Siphamandla Dhlamini. It was a fifth straight draw for Highlanders but this point felt special for the loyalists and the technical bench, as it was collected from their fierce rivals in the face of adversity.
Chances were few and far between during the opening exchanges, with the game taking the see-saw route. There were no shots on target when award-winning referee Thembinkosi Dlamini signalled for the breather.

When play resumed, Highlanders suffered the immediate setback of the red card, with coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati forced to tweak his formation following the gap that opened in defence. Attack-minded Menzi Sithole made way for defender Simphiwe Manana while versatile winger Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze was also replaced by enterprising youngster ‘Rio’. On top of being cautious in their approach, they further opted to wind down the clock by belatedly taking their set-pieces.

noticeable

Swallows’ numerical advantage was hardly noticeable and Sandile Hlatjwako, who likes scoring in this game, was guarded by Man of the Match Jimoh Moses. ‘Rio’ saw his well taken free kick from outside the box parried to safety by November Player of the Month Sandanezwe Mathabela 20 minutes from time.

From the resultant corner kick, came the controversial moment of the disallowed goal which made the Highlanders faithful wish that the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) was available in the country.

The introduction of veteran Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko saw Highlanders momentarily living dangerously at the back, as the former Eswatini international asked the right questions. However, Highlanders were still shaking off the opposition defence, with winger Patrick Mashele, who had a good game, narrowly missing the target from close range. It was the last throw of the dice, as the sides took a point in their last game of 2019. Sixth-placed Highlanders finish the first round outside the top four, but they head into 2020 with renewed vigour after the gutsy display.

TEAMS:

Swallows – Sanda, ‘Tyson’, Mncedisi, Kingu, Mabila, Paito, Siphamandla (‘Samba Jive’), McCreesh (Nhlanhla), Sandile, ‘Nunu’ (Mokenkoane), ‘TT’
Highlanders – Khanyakezwe, Ndumiso, Vukile, Peter, Jimoh, Menzi Mamba, Phumlani, ‘Sawa’ (‘Rio’), Lekata, Menzi Sithole (Simphiwe), Mashele

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: