‘Bull’ aim to stop rookies’ onslaught
TODAY: MB. HIGHLANDERS VS NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS AT MAVUSO SPORTS CENTRE, 1PM
EZULWINI - What a matchup! It is an interesting fixture with the potential of a thriller, given the football the two teams play. They are good on the ground and also both can be dangerous upfront and in the middle. They have both been unbeaten so far; Highlanders have accumulated 10 points and are second on the table in five matches while Nsingizini have 10 as well and third in the table. These two are chasing leaders Young Buffaloes who were due to face tricky Denver Sundowns yesterday with a point advantage at the summit.
The result of the Buffaloes match matters a lot to Highlanders and Nsingizini as they have to fight for the top spot today should Buffaloes fail to win. A draw or lose for Buffaloes sets these two up for a grand clash. Fans had anticipated the rookies and Highlanders to clash in the inaugural MoMo Cup 2022 final, but the latter lost in a shootout against Moneni Pirates in the semi-finals while Insingizi YeZulu beat Rangers in semis to go on and lift the MoMo Cup after downing Moneni Pirates 2-1. Giant team is Inkunz’emnyama with a hugely intimidating 12th man which they may need from the start to the end here.
However, the visiting Shiselweni Region team has no giant status but have not run short of being linked with the word itself - they are so far nothing but giant busters. In their debut match in the league, they beat Denver Sundowns 2-0, edged Manzini Wanderers 1-0, got a 1-all draw against strong leaders, Buffaloes and just defeated defending champions and fresh from TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup Royal Leopard.
SHOCKED
They shocked the unlucky police side 1-0 on Wednesday as their fixtures have come thick and fast, but they have not shown any signs of fatigue but more hunger under Malawian strategist Gerald Phiri. The coach is certainly good and his youthful but gifted players are proving a menace to their elite rivals and for any football loving fan to be part of this match, they can definitely expect fireworks here. It is going to be an exciting match in which Highlanders will have to be ever on their toes, be strong in the middle
and in defence as their rivals are also individually good.
Nsingizini boast skilful and quick players like Mancoba Vilakati, Bavukile Shabangu and the ever troublesome winger Thubelihle Mavuso, a dribbling wizard who respects no one at all but thrives on taking on the opposition defence with brilliant step overs and out of five dribbles four are successful. These are among Nsingizini’s serious weapons of destruction. Inkunzi on the other hand, have their own talented youngsters blended with vastly experienced stars.
It will be players like goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, midfielders Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa, Tshwarelo Bereng, Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto and Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha who will carry the black and white side’s hopes to
M. Highlanders: Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha, Philani Mkhonto, Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa
N. Hotspurs: Bavukile Shabangu, Mancoba Vilakati, Thubelihle Mavuso walk off the pitch unscarred. Striker Musa Dlamini, who is expected to start ahead of Josef Lekata and Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, is the one the rookies defence may have to deal with before the latest pair.
A thriller is on the cards and it’s a game that could also turn out to be the last for coach Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya, whose request to have veteran coach Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini join him in the technical bench has only put him under more pressure. The club’s Managing Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe has insisted every soldier fights its own wars and if he cannot do it anymore, he surrenders, suggesting the coach was free to resign and leave. This time, they must fight for a win if they are to stay up there, especially because even fourth and fifth-placed Mbabane Swallows and Green Mamba who have nine points know the summit is a possibility this weekend but it is all dependent on the results.