Musa saves ‘Bull’ blushes against Madlenya

KALANGA – Former Eswatini international Felix Badenhorst is on fire for his team, Mbabane Swallows. The lanky forward netted a brace yesterday to not only increase goals tally’, but also ensure his team bagged the maximum points against rookies Seven Dreams in an MTN Premier League clash. It was the visitors who made their intentions known five minutes into the game, when the former Mbombela United skipper, Badenhorst easily tapped in from inside the box, connecting a Bashir Mutanda well weighted cross.

It was otherwise to be a half of no meaningful chances at goal as both teams struggled in the final third. Badenhorst, who was simply Man of the Match here nearly doubled the lead in the 37th when his long range drive narrowly went wide. However, he hit the target a minute into the second half and his scorcher was too hot to handle for the goalkeeper Phila Mkhabela who could do nothing but watch it rattle the back of the net right in the far post, 2-0 it was.

This time, Badenhorst finished off from a low cross by Nhlanhla Ngwenya on the left flank before the latter put the last nail in Seven Dreams’ coffin, making it 3-0 with a close range finish a few minutes before the hour mark. This was after the goalkeeper failed to deal with a harmless looking cross. Seven Dreams only had a closer look at the Swallows goal when they were awarded a free kick just outside the box two minutes after the hour mark, but Menzi Shabangu shot wide.

Both coaches made substitutions, Seven Dreams stand-in coach Ronny Ginindza brought in Njabulo Magongo and Mcebisi Mdluli for Siyabonga Zwane and Phumlane Dlamini respectively. While Swallows brought in Sandile Hlatjwako, Kabia Mohamed and Triston Dunn for Felix Badenhorst, Bashir Mutanda and Thabo Vilakati respectively. The changes did not make a meaningful impact on the end result of the game as referee Mbongeni Shongwe blew his final whistle to hand Umkhonto KaShaka their second win of the season in front of their President Archbishop Bheki Lukhele. Swallows moved from sixth to third in the standings but depending on Manzini Sea Birds fare against Denver Sundowns today, it could change.

MAN OF THE MATCH:

Felix Badenhorst (M. Swallows) - The former national team Sihlangu and AS Vita forward is a ‘Messiah’ at red and white outfit as once again, he was the hero after scoring important goals for his side. He scored a brace in this game and he was on the scoreboard in their previous game against Green Mamba where they also won.

M. Highlanders ...... 1

Musa 88th

Madlenya ............... 0

HLANGANO – It took a late goal for star-studded but unconvincing Mbabane Highlanders to bag the maximum points from elite rookies, Madlenya.

The two sides clashed for the first time in the MTN Premier League yesterday but the rookies will feel hard done by the result after outplaying Highlanders for prolonged periods and threatened to score in the second half and cause an upset. However, former Mbabane Swallows and Green Mamba striker Musa Dlamini once again came off the bench to score for the black and white giants. It was the second time he came from the bench and scored a goal as he did it in his Highlanders debut match against Tambankulu Callies, netting the third goal as they won 3-0.

Yesterday’s goal was a hugely important one as a draw or defeat would not have augured well, especially with the minnows and rookies of the league who were beaten by impressive rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs on Wednesday.

Musa’s goal triggered such joy among the Highlanders faithful with the supporters still unhappy with their performance but they appreciated and welcomed the hard-earned three points when a draw would see them fall behind in the first round incentive race, which was led by Young Buffaloes at the time of this report yesterday. The striker had spent three minutes on the pitch when former Royal Leopard speedy winger Bonginkosi

N‘Manyovu’Dlamini picked him as he got himself into open space for goal.

The goal certainly killed Madlenya’s fighting spirit as before conceding, they were the team that could possibly score a goal and seal the match but it turned out the gods were not on their side and they had to take their third consecutive defeat in five matches. Madlenya have six points from two wins but as the fixtures come thick and fast, they are starting to crumble and if this continues, they will soon be counted among relegation candidates alongside hub giants Manzini Wanderers who are the basement of the standings.

Highlanders were placed second before the match and the win means they retain their position with 10 points now. They were three points behind leaders Young Buffaloes who were up against Nsingizini yesterday but now they are a point short. The latter were crowned MoMo Cup 2022 champions last Sunday after beating Moneni Pirates 2-1 in extra-time, while yesterday they were leading 1-0 against Buffaloes until late in the game before the army side found their equaliser to share the spoils.

The two teams had played to a stalemate in the first half with Highlanders missing a few scoring opportunities while Madlenya could not break their rivals’ defence. Highlanders’ winger, Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto failed to beat the keeper after he was well picked by Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha just before the halfhour mark. There was another chance in the 64th minute for ‘Ben 10’ but his effort came off the cross bar before Manyovu forced a save from goalkeeper Mndeni Lukhele.