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At the end, it proved to be a gorgeous picture for Eswatini football, with both sides demonstrating their capability to attract numbers.
Swallows were expectedly the most disappointed with the result, as they are now seven points adrift of the top spot with three games to spare. It is now a case of wing and a prayer in their pursuit for their first league title since 2018. Highlanders, on the other hand, will still nurse hopes of finishing at least in top three but they are officially out of the title race, as they will not match leaders Green Mamba’s 55-point tally.
Arsenals
The sides had expectedly unleashed the best from their arsenals, with Sandile Hlatshwako and Premier League leading goalscorer Felix Badenhorst with 20 goals leading the Swallows attack. Highlanders’ selection remained strong despite the questionable decision to bench the likes of Philani Mkhonto and Kenneth Moloto.
Veteran forwards Musa Dlamini and Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini got the nod in front, with the latter spotting an unfamiliar dreadlocks hairstyle. It took the opening 21 minutes for Swallows to unsettle their rivals with a glancing header from Sandile Hlatshwako after he was set-up by Newman Philiso. Highlanders lacked sharpness in front of goal during the early exchanges and were dealt a further blow when Musa was pulled off with a serious injury.
Swallows kept probing, with Kwakhe Thwala never setting a foot wrong, but the only goal separated the two teams during the interval.
It remained an interesting tactical warfare on resumption of play, with Highlanders growing into the game after finally bringing in their benched stars on top of throwing more bodies upfront. Man of the Match Mpendulo Tfomo did all the spadework in midfield.
Attack
The home side eventually succumbed to the relentless attack from the opposition after Sifiso Mabila floored a goal-bound substitute Kenneth Moloto. Top Referee Thulani Sibandze did not hesitate to point to the spot, with another substitute Philani Mkhonto converting the penalty with aplomb 15 minutes from time. Goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela stood no chance, as the ball was hit with venom and precision.
Swallows ran out of mileage towards the end, while Highlanders kept the tempo high. However, the teams were level pegging when Sibandze signalled for the end of proceedings. It was unbridled joy for Highlanders who stretched their unbeaten run in the derby to four matches. They invaded the pitch in sheer ecstasy shortly after the final whistle, much against the rules.