Times Of Swaziland: ‘BULL’ SPEAR-HEADS TITLE RACE

‘BULL’ SPEAR-HEADS TITLE RACE
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Lwazi Dlamini on 24/01/2022 08:22:00


MANZINI – Mbabane Highlanders rule the capital city and right now, the
‘Black Bull’ also rule the MTN League after ascending to the pole position.
Thanks to a well-taken penalty by captain Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa – his
12th goal of the season – in the 71st minute which finally ended five years,
nine months of a league drought win by ‘Inkunzemnyama’ over their bitter
rivals, Swallows. The last win by Highlanders in the MTN league over Swallows
was a 2-1 victory on April 3, 2016.
victory
Like it happened in the last derby win for Highlanders, a 1-0 victory in the
Last 16 of the Ingwenyama Cup on January 12, 2020, Swallows created a plethora
of chances to win the game at a canter, but found Highlanders goalkeeper
Khanyakwezwe Shabalala in his element. When the opportunity presented itself
after Swallows defender Blandja Baba-Seidou upended a goal-bound ‘Sikhali’,
Highlanders seized it and nailed home a win that lifted them to the top of the
MTN log standings, two points ahead of Royal Leopard, who have a game in hand.
The victory, celebrated in grand style by Highlanders fans and players alike,
was as sweet as honey for the black and white part of the Capital City. Anguish
and perpetual agony visited the red and white of the Capital city last night.
The scene played itself out in a packed-to-the-rafters Mavuso Sports Centre, in
what was a sold out affair after fans snapped up to 4 500 tickets for the
double-header at the modest venue.
The game itself was a highly tactical and edgy affair, which offered little in
terms of entertainment as suggested by its stature and pre-match billing. 
Swallows were left to rue the missed chances they created especially in the
first half when Highlanders were content in absorbing the pressure and catching
them on the break.
combining
Lanky striker, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst should have given the ‘Birds’ the
lead as early as the 7th minute after combining well with Sandile Hlatjwako but
shot agonisingly wide. Six minutes after the half-hour mark, Hlatjwako failed to
connect a Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze cross with the goal beckoning. Again on the
stroke of half-time, Swallows fans, who were on singing on top of their voices,
could not believe their eyes when again, Hlatjwako dispatched by Sizolwethu
‘Nunu’ Shabalalala, fired woefully wide. Highlanders slowly worked their way
back to the game with mercurial Banele ‘Stiga’ Ndzabandzaba, who had an
outstanding game in the belly of park, letting fly a swerving free kick from
35-yards out which went agonisingly wide in the 51st minute. Cometh the hour,
cometh the man.
A sleek pass Simphiwe Manana released the on-rushing ‘Sikhali’, who was
brought down by Blandja leaving referee Thulani Sibandze with no option but to
point to the penalty spot. ‘Sikhali’ rose up to beat Swallows goalkeeper
Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza whose desperate right hand could not stop the
treacherous shot as the Highlanders skipper not only netted his 12th goal of the
campaign but also his second successive derby goal since he scored in the 1-2
loss back on June 26, 2021. A minute before fulltime, Tony Tsabedze’s dipping
cross was excellently flicked over the bar by the ever-alert and man of the
match, Highlanders shot-stopper Khanyakwezwe as the ‘Black Bull’ held on to
claim all three points, bragging rights and dislodged Leopard at the summit of
the log standings.
With the disc jockey belting out Lady DU’s hit, ‘sihamba ngolayini’,
Highlanders players danced to the beat like nobody was watching and their fans
joined in forma, mother of all celebrations which must have lasted the whole of
last night in the Capital City.