Times Of Swaziland: ‘SIKHALI’-LESS ‘BULL’ HELD BY TAMBUTI

‘SIKHALI’-LESS ‘BULL’ HELD BY TAMBUTI
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BY SANELE JELE on 19/07/2021 08:28:00


BIG BEND – The absence of Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa was visible as 10-man
Mbabane Highlanders was held by Tambuti in an MTN Premier League match here
yesterday.
‘Sikhali’ who is second in the league top goalscorer list with 16 goals, is
currently with the national team, Sihlangu, who were participating in the
recently ended Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) Cup.
Also missing from Highlanders was Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze, who is also with
the Dominic Kunene-led side.
strike
Tambuti’s Siboniso Shiba cancelled out Johnson Mensah’s early strike to deny
the ‘Black Bull’ a win. Highlanders moved back to the top four ahead of
Manzini Wanderers with the same number of points, 43, but with a better goal
difference. In the reverse fixture played on April 18, 2021, the two sides
played to a 2-all draw. Tambuti dropped one place from 11 to 12th spot with 23
points after 25 games. The home side had the first real chance in 10 minutes
after Roy Mamba was set on goal by Wandile Dlamini but Highlanders goalkeeper
Phila Mamba came out of his line to make a beautiful save. The visitors opened
the deadlock 17 minutes into the game. It was former Manzini Wanderers striker
Mensah who unleashed a volley from the edge of the box beating Tambuti
goalkeeper Mlungisi Nxumalo across the goalposts.
Siboniso Shiba restored parity for the home side. He finished the ball into the
empty net after dribbling past the goalkeeper with four minutes before halftime.
Referee Mbongeni Shongwe had to stop the game on the stroke of half time after
Melusi Gulwako suffered an injury. Gulwako sustained the injury after he was hit
by the ball in his manhood and he was taken to hospital where he was treated and
discharged. Thobani Dlamini had to replace the injured Gulwako. After resumption
the home side threatened to take the lead but goalkeeper Phila Mamba made
beautiful saves again. He denied Tambuti’s Roy Mamba a goal in the 55th minute
in a face to face situation. The Highlanders goalkeeper had to stop a Mcebo
Mdluli hard shot two minutes later. Highlanders Coach Ernest Mavuso had to bring
in youngsters in Bonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini and Siwakhile Shongwe for
Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze and Mensah respectively.
The duo seemed to reignite the spark for the visitors. ‘Gudas’ almost stole
the lead for black and white ensemble but his volley was denied by the woodwork
in the 62 minutes. The visitors were reduced to one man down after Peter Dlamini
was given red for second bookable offence after a crude tackle on Wandile
Dlamini in four minutes of referee’s added time.