LUMKHWANE’S STRIKE RESCUES HIGHLANDERS

Sea Birds.................................(0)0
Highlanders.............................(0)1
Ayanda 80th

LOBAMBA – South African striker Ayanda Lumkhwane was a darling to be kissed by the Mbabane Highlanders’ faithful yesterday.

Making his debut after going AWOL from the team for about a month, the left footed striker returned to steer the black and white giants to their third MTN Premier League victory this season against a disjointed and low flying Sea Birds.

Lumkhwane, who was Highlanders’ only livewire for the better part of the mild paced encounter played in front of more or less 1 000 soccer lovers, struck towards the death. The game looked to be headed for a barren stalemate, as it swung from one end to the other with very few clear cut scoring opportunities created by both teams, until the South African striker’s moment of brilliance 10 minutes from time.

He was allowed to control unmarked just before the danger area. He sold a dummy to one, two defenders then let fly a treacherous shot that eluded the desperate clutches of Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya between the posts.
It was a worthy winner.

The Mbabane giants had, despite a somewhat shaky start, regrouped in the last half to play with purpose and direction. Actually, it was after the introduction of midfielder Fanelo Tsabedze in the second half of the game that changed the complexion into their favour. The opening half had been nothing but a drab affair. Both teams appeared to be shaky at first rather than cautious. They failed to string a maximum of three passes each. It was the hit and run kind of football. The notable chance of the first half fell for Sea Birds but a probing cross from the left flank went begging with no one to finish it off.

It was in the last half that Highlanders seized control of the encounter with some decent moves. They, however, struggled to really penetrate the Sea Birds defence marshalled by Gcinizwi Dlamini and Sibusile Mamba.

Tsabedze’s introduction got them into the groove and they threatened with each passing minute. Sea Birds, on the other hand, were frustrated by Highlanders’ master plan at the back. The black and white ensemble relied heavily on the offside trap and it worked wonders for them. Sea Birds could not penetrate and hardly troubled Machawe Mamba between the Highlanders’ goalposts.

The Highlanders’ winner was greeted by pandemonium at the Highlanders’ grandstand as the team’s faithful celebrated wildly.
Worth noting is that Highlanders have already won more games than in the previous season in which they were relegated after winning only two games the whole season. 

Man of the Match: Ayanda Lumkhwane (Mbabane Highlanders) – The South African striker did not only score the only goal of the game but troubled the Sea Birds defence with his incisive runs and intelligent play throughout the clash.
Referee: Simanga Nhleko – It was another fine outing by the country’s top referee, as he never put a foot wrong.
Crowd: More or less 1 000 soccer fans.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: