‘BULL’ ‘BLOW’ MOYENI OUT

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Moyeni Utd........................... (0)1
Boy Boy 85th (PEN)
Highlanders.......................... (2)5
Thabiso 14th, Menzi 45+1, Melusi 75th, Musonda 83rd, Mthobisi 86th 

LOBAMBA – Mbabane Highlanders made light work of football third-tier side Moyeni United to cruise to the next round of the SwaziBank Cup.

Goals from South Africa-born import Thabiso Mokenkoane, Menzi Sithole, Melusi Dlamini, Michael Musonda and Mthobisi Mngomezulu ensured the ‘Black Bull’ remained in pursuit of a third title following a comfortable 5-1 win at a chilly Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. The hosts were jittery at the back and their late strike from a penalty spot through the boot of Boy Boy Gamedze proved to be a ‘dead rubber’ goal, as the damage had already been done.

Highlanders, who threw their recruits in Thabiso Mokenkoane from Tuks and Mthobisi Mngomezulu from Matsapha United into the deep end, did not take too long to unsettle their opponents. Mokenkoane benefited from a lofted Menzi Sithole ball inside the box in the 14th minute to fire home the opener.

Sithole and Sibusiso Mkhonta were easily shaking off the opposition defence, but it was the former, who added to his team’s tally following a Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze corner kick on the stroke of half time. The 2009/2010 champions took the 2-0 lead to the interval.

The Manzini Super League outfit, who paraded ineffective former Moneni Pirates midfielder Andile ‘Mayambela’ Dlamini, had grown in confidence on resumption of play, pushing forward more often. However, Highlanders remained relentless. Substitute Melusi Dlamini was at the end of a Thabiso ballooned shot to head home the third goal 15 minutes from time. The goal sucked the energy out of the opponents, who looked lost like an octopus in a garage at some point.

Another substitute in Michael Musonda connected a Mthobisi pass to beat the hapless Mfanufikile Nkambule between the sticks at Moyeni in the 83rd minute. Against the run of play, Bambumuzi Zwane won a penalty from a Simphiwe Manana challenge and Boy Boy made no mistake from 12 yards out two minutes later. There was still time for more goals, as Mthobisi shook off the defence to tip-toe his effort into the net to complete the rout in the 86th minute. At the sound of referee, Leticia Viana’s final whistle, the side’s loyalists, who crammed the left side of the VIP box, roared in satisfaction. They had earlier crooned a new song entitled ‘Siyekeleni Sijabule’ (We demand to be merry).

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