‘SIKHALI’-LESS ‘BULL’ HELD BY TAMBUTI

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.

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