‘SIKHALI’ MISS KEEPS LEOPARD IN COMMAND

MANZINI – The MTN Premier League title race is still wide open.

This is after capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders let slip a chance to take the summit yesterday when they played 1-1 with leaders and defending champions Royal Leopard. Highlanders Captain and  sharp shooter Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who is on 21 goals, missed from the spot kick in the 50th minute when his team was 1-0 up from the first half. Troublesome South African winger Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha won the penalty after he was felled by defender Mancoba Maseko in the 48th. It was a match Highlanders could have wrapped up if the penalty went in, but it ricocheted off the post. Meanwhile, Highlanders had a dominant first half in the slippery pitch following yesterday’s downpour. However, as much as Leopard were outplayed with midfielder Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze doing so much to render Leopard’s Junior Magagula, Sifiso Matse and Lungelo Tsabedze out.

It was a deserved lead in the 38th minute courtesy of former Malanti Chiefs and Manzini Wanderers’ Lindokuhle ‘Ntolo’ Fakudze. He pounced on a rebound from an initial Philani Mkhontfo’s set piece shot from the edge of the box. Leopard came back in the second half and had to make quick changes which helped as they took the game to Highlanders who also started well, but faded a little after the penalty miss. Papi also got tired midway through the second half but the coach, Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala, only took him off in the last 10 minutes.
It was chance after chance for Leopard after substitute Wandile ‘Shaka’ Simelane’s wondrous goal. He had all the time after a nice interchange inside the box with Lungelo Tsabedze as the defence was caught ball watching.

Shaka also hit the woodwork with a point blank header from within six yards before Junior also missed a glorious chance to win the match. In the end, Referee Letticia Viana and her team had a great game given its magnitude - it resembled a final and good football was displayed. Otherwise, it’s still two points between these two giants at the top of the table with three matches remaining and all top four clubs still very much in it as Mbabane Swallows and Young Buffaloes also played a goalless draw at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium.

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