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‘BULL’S HIGH FIVE

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image Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane (C) joins the players in celebrations after beating Red Lions 5-2 during their MTN Premier League match at Mhlume Stadium yesterday. (Pics: Ntokozo Magongo)

MHLUME – Mbabane Highlanders dished out their best performance in a very long time to mercilessly butcher elite league returnees Red Lions at Mhlume Stadium yesterday.


It was a five-star performance by the black and white ensemble that thrilled the eye and soothed the soul with some terrier like performance, which blew away a below par Red Lions in ruthless fashion.
The MTN Premier League clash was a free-flowing affair – end to end stuff really. Fresh from a 2-4 mauling at the hands of army side Young Buffaloes, Highlanders entered the game, under new coach Ernest Mavuso, cautiously but aggressively.The hot temperatures that reached up to 38 degrees Celsius failed to stop Highlanders’ mean machine. The Mbabane giants were clearly in a party mood.


They were like a well oiled unit. It seemed nothing could go wrong on the day. Determination was written on the faces of the team’s players.
They wanted yesterday’s clash so badly it showed. Even without the influential South African trio of Vusi Madinane now known as Mashinini, acrobatic goalkeeper Sandile Kunene and striker Ayanda Lumkhwane, the ‘Black Bull’ were still full value for their win.


They showed their intentions with barely four minutes played. While many of the more or less 600 soccer lovers were still to take their seats, they had opened the scoring through brace hero Bhekani Tsabedze. He beat a ball watching defence to stab home from close range to send the Highlanders’ stand into a frenzy. It was to be the start of good things to come as moments later Fanelo Tsabedze made it two after the Red Lions’ defence failed to clear what had appeared to be a harmless corner kick from Mphucuko Dlamini on the right flank.


Long serving striker Phinda ‘Phindrix’ Dlamini reduced the deficit with a simple tap in about nine minutes from the break as Kerin Banter and Sibusiso Dlamini failed to deal with a corner on the left flank.
Highlanders were however swift to restore their two goal lead through Tsabedze again, whose intelligent play caught Red Lions napping. The Highlanders players were too quick to take a place kick, while Red Lions were still trying to organise themselves and Tsabedze outran a static defence to beat the Red Lions goalkeeper Themba with low shot. Highlanders went to the break in full control.


They continued from where they left from when the last half resumed. About midway through, Tsabedze completed his brace with a neat header to seal Lions’ fate and end the game as a contest. When Sifiso Mazibuko hit the last nail on the coffin minutes later, the team’s boss, Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane saluted the travelling supporters and their joy was complete. Simelane appeared in front of the team’s stand filled to the brim by overjoyed supporters and they responded by ululating and shouting his name adoringly.
Solomon Oladele, who had missed a number of chances in the game pulled one back for Lions at the death, capitalising on some sloppy play at the Highlanders’ regaurd.

Teams
Highlanders – Ayanda, Baimba, Njabulo, Kerin, Sibusiso, Mbaya, Mphucuko (Sipho), Fanelo, Sifiso, Bhekani (Mvini), and Xolani
Red Lions – Themba, Samkeliso, Ezewudo, Oladele, Ricky, Thabang, Senzo (Elliot), Mphumuzi, Mabelesa (Lwazi), Bogani and Phinda 

Comments (1 posted):

Kibibi on 15/09/2014 06:32:48
avatar
...And The Prophecy Read 'One Day The Bull Wii Rise From The Manure And Claim It's Place It The Local Football League.'
All Hail Mbabane Highlander...All Hail Bheki Rubber Simelane.

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