‘BULL’S FIVE-OURITE LEADS!

NHLANGANO – Five is the favourite number at Mbabane Highlanders right now.

Five points clear at the top of the MTN Premier League log standings after beating a hard fighting Tambuti FC 3-1 here yesterday and now the man who orchestrated the ninth victory of the season is also five goals ahead of nearest challenger Muzi Tsabedze of Manzini Sea Birds. Remember the name – Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa. Already named ‘Player of the Month’ for November and scorer of the penalty that won the Mbabane derby last Sunday, the mercurial marksman grabbed a brace here with consummate ease to take his personal tally to 14 goals, and you guessed right, just five goals shy of his total goal tally of 19 in his first season with Highlanders after joining on October 20, 2020.

Highlanders’ five point lead could be to just two points if Royal Leopard, who have three games in hand, manage to beat unpredictable Vovovo FC here this afternoon. But the motley group of 400 honey-throated Mbabane Highlanders supporters, who sang throughout the 90 minutes could not be bothered as they saw their side subject winless Tambuti FC to their ninth defeat of a nightmarish season.
From as early as the first minute, ‘Inkunzemnyama’ should have taken the lead when ‘Sikhali’ failed to connect with a header a gift-wrapped Kenneth Moloto’s cross. Many would have bet with their homes for the Sihlangu striker to score another trademark header. He headed narrowly wide. 11 minutes later, Highlanders jersey number 11, made amends, picking a loose ball inside the box after Tambuti FC goalkeeper, Mndeni Lukhele dropped a Moloto’s cross, firing an unstoppable treacherous shot into the roof of the net. But the sugar-belt side immediately hit back two minutes later, when a cross from Sandile Zwane on the left flank was not cleared by Highlanders defence, allowing Banele Shongwe to pick the ball, take his time, and fired a good shot which stretched every bone in goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala’s body, as it nestled at the far corner of the net.

But when you have a nippy striker like ‘Sikhali’ in your team, it is true that half the job is done. He was on hand to restore the ‘Bull’s lead three minutes before the half-hour mark with a left footer, after Tambuti failed to clear their lines following a cross from right fullback, Vusimuzi Vilakati. It was a typical goal-poacher’s goal – and his 14th goal in 13 games. Tambuti FC, who tried their best to match Highlanders pound for pound, thought they had once again found the equaliser when Ayanda Gadlela’s stupendous shot from edge of the box brought the best of goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe, who pulled of a brilliant save in the 29th minute.

Then left full-back Sanele Mkhweli had a slice of luck when Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze, who made his return after his injury in the 0-1 loss to Vovovo FC  a fortnight ago at the Prince of Wales Sports ground, delivered a crisp cornerkick which saw the ball bounce off the defender, Machawe Khumalo and luckily hit Mkhweli on its way into the back of the net in the 71st minute. Highlanders were home and dry. Five points clear at the summit of the log standings with two games against Milling Hot Spurs and Royal Leopard before the first round ends and now, talisman ‘Sikhali’s five goals ahead in the race for the ‘Golden Boot’, indeed, FIVE seems to be favourite number at the home of the country’s football aristocrats.

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