‘BULL’ ‘TREBLE’ DELIGHT!

SITEKI – Table-toppers Mbabane Highlanders stretched their lead at the summit of the MTN Premier League log standings to three points after a hard fought 3-2 win over Manzini Sea Birds yesterday.

Highlanders celebrated their 3-2 win against Manzini Sea Birds here yesterday, while Leopard lost further ground after playing to a crippling 2-all draw with Green Mamba who came from behind to steal a point at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium yesterday. The police side, however, have a game in hand which they will play next week, Wednesday against Vovovo FC at the Prince of Wales sports ground. Highlanders lead with 42 points while Leopard is second with 39 points. It is not good for Sea Birds in their recent games as they have now gone five games without a win. It was their fourth defeat in five matches and they have since drifted back to the seventh spot on the log while they were part of the challengers of the MTN Premier League first round E200 000 incentive.

Favourites

Despite that the two teams settling for a 1-all draw in the first round, Highlanders went to the game favourites after their current performance and position on the log. Highlanders started the game a better side and they took the lead early in the match when South Africa’s Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha scored six minutes into the game. He shared some passes with Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa before unleashing a ground shot to beat the on-coming Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya. Highlanders could have increased the score a minute later, but ‘Sikhali’ failed to beat the goalkeeper on a one-on-one situation as he missed the target by inches. Highlanders continued to pile pressure but Sea Birds were creating some chances but failing to convert them. The match went to the break with Highlanders enjoying the 1-0 lead.

Drama unfolded three minutes from restart when three times Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana failed to clear the ball until Highlanders ‘Ben 10’ got hold of it and laid a cross that was coolly finished by Philani Mkhontfo. Highlanders were in full control of the game as a minute before the hour mark, Kenneth Moloto scored with a ground shot 25 yards, and it seems Highlanders had completed the business. Sea Birds never gave up but they continued to fight and Muzi Tsabedze netted his 12th goal of the season after outpacing Highlanders defenders. That brought panic to the Highlanders side. Sea Birds defender Mfundo Zwane was shown a red card for a second bookable offence by referee Thulani Sibandze with 20 minutes remaining. That never deterred the spirit of Sea Birds, as they continued to fight and they were awarded a penalty with 15 minutes to go. Subtitute Bhekumuzi Mamba easily beat Khanyakwezwe Shabalala hands down.

Relief

The last 10 minutes were a torture for Highlanders as Sea Birds attacked from  all angles searching for the equaliser but to no avail, until the referee blew his final whistle, bringing a huge sigh of relief to the black and white outfit fans who jumped in joy at the news that Leopard had played to a 2-all draw against Green Mamba in Nhlangano. It was a treble delight for Highlanders – third win of the second round, a 3-2 win and three points clear at the top though having played a game more than nearest challengers, Leopard.

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