‘Weslians’ hope to tame ‘Bull’s dominance
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TODAY: MBABANE HIGHLANDERS VS MANZINI WANDERERS AT MAVUSO SPORTS CENTRE, 5:30PM BABANE – Make or break for Manzini Wanderers.
A thrilling match is set to unfold at the Mavuso Sports Centre today when the country’s football giants, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers cross swords in Week 12 of the MTN Premier League fixtures. The latter aims to put an end to Highlanders’ long-standing dominance over them.
Highlanders, under the leadership of Dumsani ‘Du’ Makhanya, have established a dominant track record in this fixture, having avoided defeat in the past seven games against Wanderers. ‘Inkunzi Emnyama’ have won four games and drawn three in the last seven meetings between the two teams since the 2019/20 season. The last time the ‘Weslians’ secured a victory against the city giants was during the 2018/19 season, where they won 2-1.
The two rivals are separated by a significant 12-point gap in the league standings. Highlanders are currently in fifth place with 18 points, while Wanderers occupy the 13th spot with just 6 points, putting them on the brink of relegation.
Wanderers will enter the game with a new technical team and the determination to turn their fortunes around. However, they face a daunting challenge against a confident Highlanders team
MRECENT GAMES
2022/2023 Season
Highlanders 3-0 Wanderers Wanderers 0-2 Highlanders 2021/2022 Season Wanderers 2-4 Highlanders Highlanders 1-1 Wanderers 2020/2021 Season Highlanders 2-0 Wanderers Wanderers 0-0 Highlanders 2019/2020 Season Highlanders 0-0 Wanderers
2018/2019 Season
Wanderers 2-1 Highlanders Highlanders 1-0 Wanderers
2017/2018 Season
Wanderers 1-0 Highlanders Highlanders 4-1 Wanderers
KEY PLAYERS Highlanders – Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Menzi Sithole, Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, Philani Mkhonto
Wanderers – Thabiso Mokenkoane, Banele ‘Banny’ Mdluli, Siphamandla Dhlamini
that is currently on a six-game unbeaten streak in the league.
Wanderers, on the other hand, have been struggling, having suffered five defeats in their last six games, including a recent 4-3 loss to Illovo FC at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground.
TalenTed
The Ally Kgomongwe side will rely on their talented players, such as Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Philani ‘Mkasabuli’ Mkhonto, Enzo Motsa, Menzi Sithole and Sibusiso Thwala to secure a victory against their rivals.
On the other hand, the maroon and white outfit will hope that their attacking trio, Siphamandla Dhlamini, who scored a brace in the previous game, continues with his impressive form, along experienced strikers Banele ‘Banny’ Mdluli and former Mbabane Highlanders player Thabiso Mokenkoane. Despite Highlanders’ historical dominance in this fixture, Manzini Wanderers possess the quality and potential to cause an upset, making this a highly anticipated match for soccer fans.