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LEOPARD SPOIL ’LANDERS’ PARTY!

03/03/2022 08:32:00 Lwazi Dlamini

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MANZINI – The deathly silence which enveloped this modest venue yesterday could have rivalled many cemeteries around the country.

You could have heard a pin drop after referee Celumusa Siphepho’s final whistle as only a motley group of about 30 Royal Leopard fans danced like nobody was watching, while the more than 1 000 Highlanders fans left the venue at a funeral procession pace. Having led for the last three months, Highlanders needing only a draw to win the first round E200 000 ‘carrot’ for the first time since the 2015/16 season, choked when it mattered most. Despite Royal Leopard, being down to 10 men for the remainder of 35 minutes, after defender Mancoba Maseko was sent off for a crude tackle on Simphiwe Manana, they held their nerves and emerged 2-0 winners in front of an impressive close to 2 000 fans. Highlanders’ South Africa-born coach, Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala’s tactical nuance was severely tested after he failed to make the right call to take advantage of a sluggish Leopard with a man down for a good 35 minutes. Here are the FIVE things we learnt from yesterday’s epic clash.

HUGE ATTENDANCE FOR A MIDWEEK CLASH

The game itself had to be delayed for 10 minutes to allow the long queue of fans to get inside the modest venue. Close to 2 000 fans made it to the venue in midweek, nogal. This was the highest attendance for a midweek clash this season and no doubt, the second highest attendance after the Big Mbabane derby here on January 23 attracted more than 4 000 fans. On hindsight, sadly, this also reflected the high level of unemployment in the country.

NOT-SO ‘SLY’ MOSALA

If truth be told, Highlanders looked tactically inept on a day when they were supposed to come to the party. All they needed was a proper game-plan against a fatigue Royal Leopard who had been pulverised 6-2 by South Africa’s Orlando Pirates only 72 hours earlier. But coach, Selaotse Mosala was not-so-sly in his tactical approach even when Leopard were a man down in the 55th minute when defender Maseko had been sent off by referee Siphepho. Instead of adding more attack-minded players, Mosala maintained a four-men defence only to contend with lone striker Thabiso Mokenkoane. Midfielder Banele Ndzabandzaba struggled to exert himself on the game but spent a good 86 minutes on the pitch. Same approach for both first and second halves which failed to yield the desired results. A good coach is one who can make decisions aptly when the need arises. On that score, Mosala was found wanting this time.

LEOPARD’S CAF EXPERIENCE EVIDENT

Leopard might have been massacred 6-2 by Orlando Pirates on Sunday in the CAF Confederation Cup Group B clash. Yes, they might be looking for their first point too, but the experience they have gained in reaching the Group stages of the second-tier CAF Inter-club competition is invaluable. It showed with way they managed the game yesterday. They were cool, calm and collected throughout the 90 minutes even when fatigue got the better of time. Experience is the best teacher.

‘JUNIOR’ A MATCH-WINNER PAR EXCELLENCE

Shamefully overlooked for the ‘Player of the Year’ award last season, the former Moneni Pirates midfield maestro brilliantly decided yesterday’s clash with a heart-warming performance which saw him make an assist on Bongani Dlamini’s 25th minute goal and then scored the match clincher with a cool-as-you-like finish. He is a match winner par excellence and one stylish midfielder, many would pay to watch even in training! What a player!

SOME POSITIVES FOR PLE

After weeks of enduring a barrage of criticism for maladministration, the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Executive Committee finally got something positive with a well-staged first round league champions presentation. Chairman Mark Carmichael, smartly dressed in a badge suit, was joined by two Executive Committee members, Polycarp Dlamini and Charles Matsebula as they handed the E200 000 cheque to singing Royal Leopard players and management.