(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Highlanders…..(0)1
Nkosivumile 79th (PEN)
Ubombo Sugar….(0)1
‘Giggs’ 84th
Highlanders won 5-3 after penalties
MANZINI — Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize’s Mbabane Highlanders AM FC held their nerve in a dramatic penalty shootout to edge Ubombo Sugar at a bustling Mavuso Sports Centre this afternoon.
Highlanders booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the E3 million-sponsored 8Bet Trade Fair Cup after clinical spot-kicks secured victory following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Boasting a core of their squad from last season, the ‘Black Bull’ started brightly, displaying early intent and fluent passing. However, the visitors from the lowveld slowly grew into the contest, refusing to be intimidated by the occasion.
Inside the opening 15 minutes, Ubombo’s impressive new recruit Mbutfo Dlamini tested fellow debutant Bongiswa Dlamini between the sticks for Highlanders, drawing a fine save after being set up by Simphiwe Mabuza. Ubombo lined up several new faces, headlined by former Green Mamba forward Mbutfo Dlamini.
While a few players on both sides showed early-season rustiness, it did little to dampen the flow of the match, though both goalkeepers remained relatively untroubled as the sides went into the break level.
The second half proved to be a cagier affair with chances few and far between. The game finally exploded into life 11 minutes from time when Bongumenzi Zwane brought down Msimisi Zwane inside the box. Nkosivumile Zulu stepped up to the spot and audaciously executed a Panenka-inspired penalty, sending the home supporters into absolute ecstasy.
The lead, however, was short-lived. Ubombo almost responded immediately when goalkeeper Dlamini failed to cleanly deal with Majehesibili ‘Giggs’ Ndlovu in the 79th minute. From the resulting corner delivered by Ngcebo Msibi, ‘Giggs’ rose highest to head home a dramatic equaliser.
With a penalty shootout looming, Ubombo made a surprising tactical move a minute before regulation time, introducing pint-sized goalkeeper Phila Dlamini for Innocent Adja.
When it came down to the lottery of penalty kicks, MaMkhize’s side proved flawless. Highlanders converted all four of their spot-kicks through Zulu, Thando Dube, S’phiwe Cele, and Msimisi Zwane.
Ubombo’s gamble failed to yield results as Mbutfo and Vusi ‘10%’ Mavuso both missed from 12 yards, bringing their campaign to a premature end.
Highlanders’ dream for early season honours is very much alive ansld they now await the winner between arch-rivals Mbabane Swallows and Rangers, who lock horns tomorrow.
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