Bull' sees red mist!

Mb. Highlanders..……………….(0) 0,
Mb. Swallows……………………(0) 1,
Massoye 58th

LOBAMBA –The big derby turned out to be compelling drama in real life at Somhlolo Stadium yesterday.
Mbabane Swallows’ Cameroonian striker, Etienne Massoye’s 58th minute match-winning goal was upstaged by violence scenes which would have made the raging war in Iraq look like a Sunday school picnic.

Three minutes before full time, an animated Mbabane Highlanders supporter ran half the length of the pitch whilst the game was still on to try and remove an orange bib hung on the net by Swallows’ goalkeeper, Thokozani Mkhulisi.
As the fan wrestled with Swallows’ marshals who had earlier exchanged heated words with their Highlanders’ counterparts on the terraces next to the Swallows’ goal-posts, complete mayhem broke out.  

Police officers moved quickly to apprehend the spirited fan as play was halted by referee, Mbongseni Fakudze, who instigated the chaos after he had earlier forced Highlanders’ goalkeeper, Zondai Nyaungwa to remove a water bottle inside the goalposts but took rather too long to notice the orange bib hung by Mkhulisi which was the source of violence scenes which seemed to have been taken from a Wild, Wild West movie.

As tension subsided and the men in blue (police officers) did their best to calm the situation, a second Highlanders fan took to the field again, evading tackles from the more than 30 police officers gliding past them quicker than a witch on a broomstick.
As he tried to tackle Swallows goalkeeper, Mkhulisi who was now holding the orange bib but only to miss him completely before falling on the turf as the police officers moved quickly to apprehend him. He was covered in blood as the police officers gave him a thorough beating.

It was the kind of scene that left the watching public in awe as the muti belief by local soccer fans reached new heights. As sporadic fights broke out inside the Highlanders grandstand, the Swallows fans were on cloud nine cheering their heroes as referee, Fakudze resumed play after confiscating the infamous orange bib.

Highlanders will certainly be hauled over the coals for their fans’ barbaric behaviour but the ‘Black Bull’ shattering loss to their arch-rivals was probably the bitterest pill to swallow after having dominated recent derbies.
In a game of two halves, Highlanders began the game at their buccaneering best, with probing moves as Swallows struggled in midfield and with Highlanders Congolese midfielder, Mbaya Katala overshadowing Swallows midfielder, Sandile Mdlovu, it was the ‘Black Bull’ who enjoyed a lion’s share of possession but failed to convert the few chances created.

Striker, Msizi Lukhele was well bottled up by the workaholic Nigerian defender, Eifany Ezewudo who even cleared a dangerous ball inside the box after goalkeeper, Mkhulisi had spilled a Nana Dlamini cross in the 26th minute.
With over 5 000 fans crammed inside the stadium, tension palpable, the game then degenerated into comical catalogue of miskicks, miscues and miscalculations in particular by Swallows that even the Mdzimba Mountain rock formation that hulk over the stadium rivalled the foot-ballers in terms of entertainment value.
In a first half which never produced much clear cut chances, Highlanders should have taken the lead in the 41st minute when Khayelihle ‘Karas’ Dlamini danced with the ball before dispatching an on rushing Cameroonian striker, Joel Heukeu whose rasping shot was brilliantly saved by Mkhulisi.  As the rain fell heavily, Swallows returned for the second half as if powered by their moniker of ‘kukhona uzonethwa’ as the heavens opened up, coach, Alou Badara’s charges were a side reinvigorated.

A minute into the second half, Salebona Jele saw his weak header easily collected by Highlanders goalkeeper, Zondai after a well taken Ncube corner kick. Three minutes later, a well thought out free kick by Ncube ricocheted off the bar with Zondai stranded as Swallows grew in confidence with each passing minute. Defender-turned-midfielder, Mgonodi Sidell dispatched Massoye with defence-splitting pass but only for the reigning top goal scorer to fire his shot agonizingly wide in the 51st minute.

Then seven minutes later, Massoye struck his 11th goal of the season in what was a typical route one football and ended his goal scoring jinx against Highlanders. 
A long ball by goalkeeper, Mkhulisi, whose ball distribution is second to none, found Salebona Jele, who then dispatched Massoye who looked to be in a suspicious off-side as he stroked the ball home after his first attempt was blocked by Zondai.

As Massoye celebrated in-front of adoring Swallows fans, the rain fell heavily again as if the man above was showering what turned out to be the decisive goal.
Badara immediately pulled out a struggling Mdlovu for Lwazi ‘Zidane’ Maziya making his return for the first time after surviving the fatal Sihlangu kombi accident two months ago and five minutes later the stylish midfielder’s lacerating through pass, which would have defied all the rules of geometry set Massoye who in a one-on-one situation with Zondai, the Zimbabwean goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save. 

Highlanders youthful striker, Muzi Dlamini, who came in for Msizi Lukhele, unleashed a blistering shot in the 78th minute 25 yards out but only for Mkhulisi to produce the ‘save of the day’ tipping the shot for a fruitless corner.
Then it was Highlanders goal-minder, Zondai’s chance to make a brilliant save, this time from a glancing Ncube header after Ogana Sunday cross and the ball forced the keeper to turn like an Amazon reptile to save it, injuring himself in the process. 

Then the battle over the infamous bib took centre stage for more than 10 minutes in one of the worst scenes to happen in local football this season but after the chaos was subsided, play resumed and Highlanders winger, Xolani Sibandze almost grabbed a late equalizer after finding space on the left flank but scooped his ball agonizingly wide as Mkhulisi had left his posts.

It summed up Highlanders’ day in the office as Swallows hung on the lead to grab the vital three points which leave the ‘Birds’ six points behind table toppers, Young Buffaloes, but most importantly the bragging rights in the Capital City which went to sleep last night painted in red and white. 
TEAMS:
HIGHLANDERS – Zondai, Sipho, Eugene, Thulani, Madzala, Mbaya, Xolani, Mxolisi, Msizi (Muzi), Joel, Karas (Mqombotsi)
SWALLOWS – Mkhulisi, Muhle, Eduardo, Palma, Ezewudo, Mgonodi, Mdlovu (Lwazi), Sunday, Massoye, Ncube, Jele (Sizwe)
Referee – Libnar Sibiya and Thulani Sibandze
Fourth Official – Letticia
Match Commissioner – Mangaliso Sihlongonyane
Man of the match – Thokozani Mkhulisi
MATCH STATISTICS
‘LANDERS    SWALLOWS
    2    Corner kicks        5
    10    Shots on target                          6
    5    Shots off target                         4
    8           Fouls                                            6
SHOT OF THE MATCH
It has to be Mbabane Highlanders central defender, Thulani Sibandze’s 35-yard out blistering shot in the 80th minute which forced Mkhulisi to block it only for Muzi Dlamini to balloon the rebound to row 12 of the Western grandstand.
SAVE OF THE MATCH
Both team goalkeepers, Zondai and Mkhulisi pulled off brilliant saves on the day but Mkhulisi’s 78th minute save from a rasping shot by second half substitute, Muzi Dlamini was a match winning save! He stretched himself to the limit to tip the ball for a fruitless corner.
MOAN OF THE MATCH
The game had all the ingredients of a derby, a massive crowd, perfect weather conditions before the rain fell heavily, tension palpable but the violence spoilt everything. Highlanders’ fans barbaric behavior was uncalled for and it takes our football donkey years back. We hope the powers that be will act swiftly the restore the little image that is now left on the people’s game which is being taken to the dogs by hooligans posing as supporters.
GOAL OF THE MATCH
The only gal of the game was a route one football lesson. A long pass by Mkhulisi, then Salebona Jele dispatched Massoye who looked to be in an offside position to score his 11th goal of the season.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Thokozani Mkhulisi
His ball distribution is superb, his saves were out of this world. Mkhulisi is proving to be a good buy for Swallows!
REFEREE’S WATCH
Mbongseni Fakudze
Besides the infamous orange bib incident where he should acted swiftly before the chaos broke out, Fakudze had a fair game though he took too long to blow for some infringements which caused tension on both camps. His first assistant, Libnar Sibiya was to blame for missing the Massoye’s off side incident, which turned out to be the match decider.

 
 

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: