TEMPERS FLARE AS MADLENYA STUN ‘BULL’

MHLUME – It was a tense and dramatic affair as Madlenya pulled off a stunning upset over Mbabane Highlanders in their own backyard in the MTN Premier League  opening clash yesterday.

Police officers had to whisk away Madlenya Manager John Gamedze about 10 minutes before the game ended as some Highlanders fans bayed for his blood, blaming him for their downfall in the game, while they were trailing 2-0. Meanwhile, they also shouted at match officials when Madlenya scored the winner, believing that the scorer, Mncedisi Magagula, should have been flagged offside. The Match Commissioner on the day was Kuhle Mkhatsha, while Sibusiso Siphepho was the Fourth Official. The middleman was Celumusa Siphepho, who was assisted by Thembinkosi Magagula and Nhlanhla Zitha.

This incident also saw Inkunz’emmnyama Coach Solly Luvhengo being given a yellow card as he tried to question the match officials’ decision. As if that was not enough, Madlenya’s Lethokuhle Gamedze and Highlanders’ Delisa Gama were also booked later after an altercation on the pitch. Just like in the previous season where Madlenya stunned Manzini Wanderers 1-0 in a league opener, they beat Highlanders 2-1 to reverse last season’s dominance over them. Highlanders had defeated them 1-0 and 2-1 during the league campaign last season.
To achieve that, Mpendulo Gamedze grabbed one in the first half and Mncedisi Gamedze scored the winner in the last half of the match. Second half substitute Enzo Motsa pulled one back just with six minutes away from regular time but that was to be the last goal of the game. The capital city giants will surely rue their missed chances on the day where they were superior but failed to penetrate a rock solid defence that did not give away fouls, while the black and white side also struggled to handle Madlenya on the counter.

pacey game

In a pacey game that did not have the heat derail it, Highlanders, also fondly known as the Black Bull were dominant, enjoying much of the possession and playing in the Jozi Jobana half as Madlenya are nicknamed. In Madlenya’s best peak of their attacks, Lethokuhle Gamedze picked, Mncedisi Magagula who advanced to unleash a long range shot that spoiled Khanyakwenzwe Shabalala’s sheet just after 17 minutes into the game. However, this did not dent the hopes of Highlanders as they maximised their efforts to get an equaliser, with Siyabonga Mkhonto denied just before the half-hour mark. Experienced winger Bongikhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini saw his attempt go over the bar just five minutes before half-time to see Madlenya shot-stopper Dumisani Dlamini go with an unstained sheet to the break.

Just after the restart, Luvhengo rested Manyovu and Sibusiso Tfwala for Malekana Noko and Musa Dlamini in an effort to neutralise the score. They dominated the game, staying in the last third but William Gamedze’s men never backed off and fought back with intent. From some of the second half clear-cut scoring chances, Highlanders’ Mpendulo Tfomo got one glorious chance just two minutes after the hour mark but it was in vain. It was in the 75th minute when Madlenya got one counter where Gcina Dlamini brought in a cross that Mncedisi did not hesitate but slotted home. When a goal seemed not promising for capital city giants, Motsa just grabbed one in the dying minutes of the game that brought back some false hope. They tried some few knocks but could not succeed.

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