Nsingizini pile misery on ‘Bull’ in 6-goal thriller

(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)

Nsingizini Hotspurs…………..4

‘Mbhobho’ 21^st, ‘Skomota’ 46^th, Yeki 73^rd, Gadlela 88^th

Mbabane Highlanders………2

Cele 9^th, Siyabonga 42^nd

NHLANGANO – MTN Premier League log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs showed no mercy to Mbabane Highlanders yesterday, staging a dominant second-half comeback in a crackerjack encounter defined as much by the quality on the pitch as the chaos off it.

The capital city giants, currently hovering just three points above the drop zone, started with all guns blazing despite the waterlogged conditions. South African attacker Sphiwe Cele drew first blood inside 10 minutes, shocking the home crowd as the visitors showed early mastery of the difficult surface.

However, the defending champions did not take long to find their footing. It took just 12 minutes for Cele’s countryman, AmaZulu loanee Senzo ‘Mbhobho’ Ndlovu, to restore parity. Ndlovu continued his purple patch, registering his third league goal in two matches following last week’s brace.

The pendulum swung again three minutes before the interval when Siyabonga Mkhonto stepped up to the plate to restore the ‘Bull’s’ lead. Yet, that advantage was surrendered merely 60 seconds into the second stanza.

As fans were still settling back into their seats, defender Nkosingiphile ‘Skomota’ Shongwe turned the game on its head. His curling cross-turned-shot caught goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza off-guard, nestling into the net to the dismay of the visiting supporters.

Mabuza was between the posts as Sisekelo Maseko was out serving a suspension for accumulated yellow cards.

The equaliser coincided with ugly scenes off the field. Chaos erupted as Highlanders fans attempted to forcibly remove two vehicles parked near their post on the secondary pitch behind the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium.

The situation deteriorated as a Toyota vehicle was pelted with stones and bottles while attempting to flee the area. A BMW driver, seeking sanctuary behind the Nsingizini stand, was surrounded by an angry mob.

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