’LANDERS BULLY HUB

LOBAMBA – Giants Mbabane Highlanders produced a clinical second half performance to shake off Hub Sundowns in the race to the Ingwenyama Cup last 16 here yesterday.

After playing out of character in the opening period, Saul Chaminuka’s troops rallied to score four unanswered goals in the second half to maintain their flawless start in the Ingwenyama Cup. In all four instalments  of the tournaments, Highlanders are yet to concede a goal in the Last 32, beating Hub, Ludzeludze Brothers and City Warriors by 3-0, 4-0 and 5-0, respectively, in the  last three editions.

Skipper Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze celebrated a rare brace to send the ever animated visiting supporters into a frenzy. Thabiso Mokenkoane and little known Melusi Dlamini were also on target to ensure the rout was completed. For the National First Division side, it was more misery. They are yet to go past the opening round in all four attempts. Hub have further failed to score in the tournament since its launch in the 2015/2016 season. Highlanders had missed about a half dozen players due to suspensions, injuries and absenteeism, but still had verve the grind out the big win on the road. Among the missing players were injured grafter Vusimuzi Zungu, suspended Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze, and the trio of goalkeeper Khanyakezwe Shabalala, Menzi Sithole and Mthobisi Mngomezulu, among others.

Hub had started positively, with Sikolwethu Mdluli stinging goalkeeper Mxolisi Dlamini’s gloves with a hard shot in the fourth minute. For Highlanders, they had to wait for resumption of play to find their rhythm. However, they had a clean sheet to celebrate during the interval. The visitors turned the screws on resumption of play, while Hub ran out of mileage.
It was skipper ‘Chocco’ who led by example to open his team’s account when he nodded home from close range after he was set up by Sihle Ndaba in the 46th minute. Highlanders’ defence was caught napping moments later, but goalkeeper Mxolisi came to the rescue to foil Thulebona Dlamini’s attempt.

Hub players’ legs were heavy and they committed schoolboy errors. ‘Chocco’ capitalised on a defensive mix-up to complete his brace. He scored with an easy tap-in in a crowded box after connecting a short Nkosinamandla ‘Nkola’ Nkambule defence-splitting pass 15 minutes from time.

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