‘Bull’ back to winning ways
ST hami 59th
ITEKI – Capital city giants, Mbabane Highlanders, exacted sweet revenge against Madlenya defeating them 1-0 to bounce back to winning ways.
South African-born defender Thami Zulu, who was later named ‘Y’ ello’ Man of the Match, nodded in the only goal during the second half of this clash. The victory lifted Highlanders from seventh to sixth place with 32 points. However, Madlenya remained eighth with 26 points and winless in the league this year.
Both teams came in nursing bruised egos following defeats in their previous matches. However, the black and white outfit was eager to reverse Madlenya’s firstround opener solitary goal upset and secure Milton ‘Spanish’ Dlamini’s first win.
The ‘Bull’ showed great zeal to wipe the tears of the fans from the referee Letticia Viana’s first whistle. They enjoyed supreme possession, which saw the hosts sitting back and protecting their post for the better part of the first stanza.
Philani ‘Mkasabuli’ Mkhonto’s effort in the 16th minute was parried over the bar by Dumsani Dlamini for a fruitless corner kick. Another chance to convert their dominance came four minutes later. ‘Mkasabuli’s free kick was also tired of the bar for another corner kick, which never materialised.
SUBSTITUTION
Madlenya eventually balanced the seesaw, but neither team succeeded in breaking the deadlock until the interval. Spanish’s half-time substitution seemed to have worked as it eventually saw them create more scoring opportunities. Menzi Sithole and Kenneth Moloto were introduced, which gave them more wing power as Madlenya had also resorted to open gameplay. A minute before the hour mark, Zulu met Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s corner to wreck the net. Two minutes later, Mfundo Zwane prevented Moloto from doubling the advantage, clearing the ball while the goalkeeper was away.
The Lubombo-based side, however, never threw in the towel, with Lethokuhle Gamedze trying his best to regain parity before he was substituted. The sides jostled each other, with the visitors attacking from all angles, but the scoreline remained the same until regulation time.