Tambuti, Highlanders in drab draw
Tambuti ......................... 0 M. Highlanders ............. 0
IG BEND – Minnows Tambuti have denied Mbabane Highlanders four points this season as they played to a goalless draw again in a lukewarm MTN Premier League game yesterday.
The two teams played a stalemate in the first round which was played at KaLanga Technical Centre. Both teams failed to make any meaningful play with the first chance coming 10 minutes into the game, but it was not followed by one long range effort by Highlanders’ Philani Mkhonto who also had a free header go just wide.
The teams went into the breather without much to write home about, which is something, witnessed at Prince of Wales in Mbabane during the Friday afternoon fixtures. The display is one that says there is nothing more to play for, save for the top three teams. It was Mkhonto’s telling runs that were recognisable and at one point, just before half-time forced the goalkeeper Phila Mamba to make a strong save as he parried out his powerful shot from close range.
At the start of the second stanza, Highlanders Coach Solomon ‘Solly’
BMAN OF THE MATCH:
Mandla Palma (M. Highlanders) - The veteran defender never put a foot wrong in the game as he made crucial tackles and his reading of the game is world class. Even though Tambuti never made threatening moves, the little they made were taunted by Palma. MATCH OFFICIALS:
Referee - Letticia Viana
1st Assistant - Mandela Mndzebele 2nd Assistant - Sifiso Nxumalo
4th Official - Tencwala Soko Match Commissioner: Senzo Nkambule
Luvhengo introduced Musa Dlamini and Siboniso ‘Mane’ Lukhele in the positions of Mopina and Siyabonga Mkhonto. Just a minute into the game, Tambuti nearly scored as Banele Shongwe’s scorcher was cleared for a fruitless corner by goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala. The host upped the tempo with counter attacking football, but lacked composure in front of goal. Shongwe once again failed to beat Shabalala as he broke free in one of their count-attacks, but took a lame shot.
The teams got half chances at goal which never threatened the goalkeepers until the Referee, Letticia Viana, blew her whistle for full-time. The result saw the capital city giants cementing the fourth spot with a game to play in the current season.