‘BULL’ BURST NSINGIZINI’S BUBBLE

MANZINI – The duo of wingers Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha and Philani Mkhonto inspired Mbabane Highlanders to a crucial 1-0 win over rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs yesterday.

It was an entertaining MTN Premier League game before a crowd of more or less than 3 000 hugely dominated by Highlanders. The latter played the rookies when they already had a giant-killers’ tag after just four matches. Nsingizini were unbeaten before yesterday’s game after winning against big sides like defending champions Royal Leopard last Wednesday afternoon, Denver Sundowns and earned a point against Young Buffaloes. They also have their maiden elite trophy in the inaugural MoMo Cup 2022, whereby they outfoxed Moneni Pirates 2-1 in the final. Against Highlanders, they played well, particularly midway through the second half to the end as they caused the opposition some nervy moments through set pieces.

However, they could not break a solid Highlanders defence to cancel out the damage by fans’ voted Man of the Match Philani Mkhonto and ‘Ben 10’.
The pair were troublesome for Nsingizini and most of the Highlanders chances came from them. It was no surprise when ‘Ben 10’ was brought down inside the box by the goalkeeper who was forced out of his goal and referee Thembinkosi Dlamini rightly pointed to the spot. Mkhonto, who was involved in the initial move, stepped forward to slot it home, sending the goalkeeper Sibusiso Dlamini who also had a good game on the day, the wrong direction in the 10th  minute.

Deadlock

Striker Josef Lekata should have been the one breaking the deadlock but the Highlanders forward headed straight into the goalkeeper. Soon after the goal, Nsingizini got their closest chance for a goal but striker Sibusiso Tfwala’s free header from a corner kick ricocheted off the post, with the defence and goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala at sea. Lekata was again close but his tap-in was acrobatically blocked by the showstopper who was quick enough after spilling a Mkhonto cross inside the opening 20 minutes. A few minutes later, Mkhonto unselfishly teed the ball for yet another impressive winger Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto and with the goalkeeper at his mercy, he saw his attempt agonisingly go wide. Half-time came with both sides exciting to watch but Nsingizini struggled in the final third.

The second half started slowly with Highlanders getting the early chances once again but it was not long before the rookies matched their rivals and at times looked even better, forcing coach Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya to make some drastic changes as fatigue took its toll on some players. Both sides made their changes but Nsingizini finished strongly while Highlanders were dangerous on the counter with substitutes Musa Dlamini and Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini combining well with ‘Ben 10’ and Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze. The latter had a glaring chance but rushed to take his shot first time and it was well off target.

Unmarked

It was nearly 2-0 when Musa Dlamini was nicely picked unmarked inside the box by a Melusi Magagula’s cross but his curled effort beat the goalie only to be cleared just before it crossed the line by defender Pius Baffour Awuah. The rookies may have lost but they still made their presence felt and did not give the three points away on a silver platter. Meanwhile, it is a good result for Highlanders who retained their second spot and one point gap between them and leaders Young Buffaloes who won 1-0   against Denver Sundowns on Saturday. Nsingizini were third before this result and after Mbabane Swallows and Green Mamba fared in their own games, they dropped a couple of places to fifth with 10 points. It is now seven matches left to the E100 000 first round leaders’ incentive and the top six teams as well as bottom four-placed Leopard are still in it. Leopard have a point but have also played fewer matches.

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