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‘BULL’ BACK IN AFRICA 9YRS LATER!

13/06/2022 15:42:00 Ashmond Nzima

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MANZINI – The giant is awake!

Hundreds of Mbabane Highlanders’ fans invaded the pitch in sheer ecstasy at the sound of lanky referee, Thulani Sibandze’s whistle, as their favourite team tightened their grip on the second spot in the MTN Premier League goalless draw with traditional rivals, Mbabane Swallows at a fully-packed Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday. The wild visiting fans looked ready to dance through the night, after seeing their team qualify for continental football for their first time in nine years. Founded at the then Swaziland College of Technology (SCOT), by a group of students at the back of the annual party called ‘Inkunzemnyama’ in 1962, Highlanders are the country’s most successful football club who have dominated Eswatini football for a prolonged period of time before their notable slump over the years.

Often derided as a government team because of its popularity among high ranking government officials, a return to Africa was just what the doctor ordered for the black and white ensemble, who had become a shadow of their former selves. They had suffered a shock relegation back in May 2013. The visitors headed into yesterday’s feisty fixture with a chance to even win the league, but the eventual champions Royal Leopard’s goalless draw with Young Buffaloes meant Highlanders had to settle for second best. However, second best in this case is a ticket to Africa’s second-tier football tournament styled CAF Confederation Cup. They last tasted continental football back on March 2, 2013 when they lost 3-5 after penalties to Madagascar’s TCO Boeny in the CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round at the Somhlolo National Stadium. Both legs had ended 2-1 after 90 minutes.

For Highlanders who were inspired by their revelation in Sihlangu’s Philani Mkhontfo, yesterday’s result was even more sweeter, as they had to ‘dine’ in front of their sworn rivals in Swallows, who were less convincing in the ill-tempered derby punctuated with random fights at the stands. For Swallows, it was a missed opportunity, as victory would have ensured that they beat Highlanders to the second spot. The ‘Beautiful Birds’ allowed Highlanders to run the show for prolonged periods and some of their fans walked out of the stadium even before their final whistle could be blown.

In the game played before guests led by league sponsors MTN Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Wandile Mtshali and a roaring crowd of over 7 000; Highlanders ensured that the pendulum swung in their favour during the early exchanges. Swallows were committing a lot of fouls at first and they were almost punished in the 14th minute if Highlanders’ marksman, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who finishes on 23 goals, did not stutter in the box during a goal-mouth scramble. Highlanders’ goalkeeper Khanyakezwe Shabalala was underemployed between the sticks for the better part of the opening period, but when the referee signalled for the breather the scoreboard remain unchanged.

Swallows who had noticeably started with mainly their seasoned campaigners introduced skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze for the ineffective lanky forward Sandile Hlatshwako before the resumption of play. The former did inject life into Swallows’ game, and Musa Manyatsi’s troops almost found the opener against the run of play just after the hour mark. Former Eswatini international, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst had connected Wonder’ Samba’ Nhleko’s cross from the right with a bullet header but Khanyakezwe was equal to the task. The teams had attacked in dribs and drabs after the hour-mark but Highlanders still found pockets of spaces in Swallows’ defence, with South Africa-born import Kenneth Moloto freezing in the box from a ‘Sikhali’ pass when pulling the trigger seemed to be the obvious option.

In the last 10 minutes, the impressive Mkhonfo was back to ask more questions, as he twice brought the best out of Sihlangu goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela with stinging shots from close range. Overall, there were flashes of brilliance from Swallows, especially through the skilful winger Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, but their finishing left much to be desired. The decision to blend the team towards the end by Swallows technical bench through introducing fresh legs and young blood who included young midfield maestro, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, who did little to bring the desired result, as the away side tightened the back door to celebrate a memorable draw, while ensuring they remained unbeaten against Swallows this season after winning 1-0 in the reverse fixture. For ranking second, Highlanders will further claim half of the E1 million first prize.