‘BULL’ SEVEN PHEZULU!

MANZINI – Closer to the bone, the sweeter the meat!

Trailblazing Mbabane Highlanders took a giant step towards clinching the MTN Premier League E200 000 first round incentive after a 2-0 win over hapless Milling Hot Spurs here saw the ‘Black Bull’ jump seven points clear at the summit of the log standings. Goals from Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze in the 5th minute and second half substitute Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha 53rd minute strike – his sixth goal of the campaign - were enough to give Highlanders one-hand on the first round trophy with one game to play against the self-same Royal Leopard, who now have two games in hand against Young Buffaloes and Manzini Sea Birds.

The celebrations by the Highlanders motley group of supporters mirrored the feeling of everyone who swears by the ‘horns’ of the ‘Black Bull’ as the first round incentive they last won in the 2015/2016 season now looked a certainty. With Leopard, who were due to face Algeria’s JS Kabylie in  CAF Confederation Cup clash last night, expected to face Young Buffaloes on Thursday and Manzini Sea Birds on Valentine’s Day, the ‘Black Bull’ only have to beat the police side to scoop the first round incentive.

As early as the 5th minute yesterday, the versatile ‘Sawa’ Gamedze calmed the nerves of the supporters with a brilliant left footer to beat Milling Hot Spurs goalkeeper, Sifiso Maseko hands down with the time it takes to boil an egg. Milling, who suffered their seventh defeat of the season to remain rooted fourth from the bottom, gave a good account of themselves in the first half, absorbing pressure and hoping to catch Highlanders on the break, but with lone man upfront in Mangaliso Nkhambule, it was always going to be difficult to penetrate the water-tight Highlanders rear-guard.

Seven minutes after the half-hour mark ‘Sawa’ fired over the bar after a nice interchange of passes between him and Philane Mkhontfo as Highlanders surged forward. Then coach Seloatse ‘Sly’ Mosala played his ace, bringing in Machacha for ‘Sawa’ and there was immediate impact. Seven minutes after coming in, Machacha netted his sixth goal of the season when he played a brilliant one-two with captain Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa before drilling a low shot past the advancing goalkeeper Maseko. Highlanders’ 10th win in 14 games was secured and God knows, the E200 000 first round incentive is in the bag too.

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