‘Basop’ as ‘Bull’ eye top spot
MTODAY: MBABANE HIGHLANDERS VS DENEVER SUNDOWNS AT SOMHLOLO NATIONAL STADIUM, 1PM
BABANE – It is without question that youthful Denver Sundowns go into the clash as the underdogs against a star-studded and on song Mbabane Highlanders.
Both sides have young talent but it is Sundowns who do not have the experience and quality oozed by the capital city giants. Both sides have had a positive start to the season with the home team convincingly winning two and narrowly losing one.
Sundowns on the other hand, have managed four points of a possible nine, meaning they have one defeat, one win and a draw, which sees them on position seven in the standings. Their rivals today are gunning for the top spot as they are perched on second spot on the log just a point short of leaders Young Buffaloes after three matches.
Buffaloes will not be in action this afternoon as their fixture with ailing Manzini Wanderers was put on hold by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) until further notice. This presents Highlanders the chance to go top if they beat Sundowns who were impressive against Manzini Sea
Birds last Sunday in the inaugural MoMo Cup semifinal.
Youngsters like winger Langelihle Dlamini, among others, showed they have a bright future ahead and worked well with the experience Mike Dombo up front despite losing 2-1 late in the match.
Highlanders play possession and fast attacking football and have good wingers who pose a threat to any defence in the league in Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha, Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto and latest addition Bonginkosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini who is expected to make his debut for the black and white Inkunz’emnyama.
That is just how much firepower the visiting Basop IKappa ensemble must deal with, bring in striker Musa Dlamini who has already scored two league goals and one in the MoMo Cup for his new employers who signed him from Green Mamba, Josef Lekata
Highlanders: Philani Mkhonto, Kenneth Moloto and Bonginkosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini.
D. Sundowns: Langelihle Dlamini, Mike Dombo and Jimoh Moses.
D. Sundowns Highlanders
1 - 3 2 - 0
Highlanders D. Sundowns
who was doubtful earlier due to a thigh muscle strain and attacking midfielder Philani Mkhonto.
Leading the Sundowns defence will be former Highlanders Captain Jimoh Moses, who has already had to deal with most of these stars last season while at Tambankulu Callies. Highlanders go into this one buoyed by their MoMo Cup playoffs success against Wanderers and Sea Birds before the latest 2-0 win over Wanderers again in the league on Wednesday night.
Sundowns on the other hand, were too good for rookies Madlenya who they drubbed 3-1 in the previous match. Prior to this win, they had played rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs, lost 2-0 as well as the 2-all draw with win-less Mbabane Swallows. History also favours Highlanders in this tie as even last season Highlanders did a double as they won 2-0 and 3-1 respectively in both rounds.