(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
M. Highlanders….(1)4
Thando 32nd, Ayanda 51st, Sandziso 73rd, Nkosivumile 90+2
M. Swallows……..(0)0
MANZINI – Mbabane Highlanders showed no mercy to cross-town rivals Mbabane Swallows, cruising to a comfortable 4-0 win in a heated 8Bet Trade Fair Cup quarter-final at a packed Mavuso Sports Centre last night.
For the first time in the competition’s history, the two giants met in the tournament. Football fans turned up in their numbers, creating a roaring atmosphere under the floodlights as both teams looked to lay down a marker ahead of the new MTN Premier League season.
Highlanders came in with serious intent, showing off three major new signings in goalkeeper Qiniso Nyawo, defender Vukile Khumalo and midfielder Phila Dlamini, all joining from Moneni Pirates. In contrast, Swallows looked like a side still finding their feet after a massive player exodus left them rebuilding with mostly regional talent.
The match kicked off at a blistering pace. Dribbling wizard S’phiwe Cele pulled the strings for Highlanders in midfield, though Swallows stayed in the fight early on, thanks to the tireless work of Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati. Clear chances were hard to come by in the opening half-hour.
However, the game blew wide open in the 32nd minute. A swift interchange of passes found an unmarked Thando Dube, who smartly scooped the ball home from outside the box to give Highlanders a 1-0 lead heading into the break. Swallows came out swinging in the second half. Substitute Sakhile Sifundza almost levelled the scores immediately after breaking through the defence, but his weak shot failed to trouble Nyawo. Highlanders made them pay for that miss.
Completely against the run of play, substitute Ayanda Mabuza unleashed a dipping strike that completely stunned Sandanezwe Mathabela in the Swallows goal to double the lead in the 52st minute. From then on, the ’Landers took full control. Goalkeeper Nyawo even began taking wild risks, dribbling the ball well outside his penalty box to entertain the lively crowd.
Drama flared up in the 73rd minute when Swallows defender Celso Chauchane brought down Nkosivumile Zulu in the box. Referee Thembinkosi Dlamini initially pointed to the penalty spot before changing his decision to a corner kick. The debate was short-lived, as Sandziso Dlamini rose highest from Cele’s resulting corner to head home the third goal.
Disgusted by the display, waves of Swallows fans began heading for the exits. Highlanders completed the rout deep into stoppage time when Zulu tapped the ball into an empty net to make it 4-0, sending their supporters into absolute dreamland.
At the final whistle, the party was officially on for Highlanders, led by their flamboyant President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize. The result exposed Swallows’ glaring lack of bite upfront and left them with plenty of work to do before the league begins. Highlanders now march on to face Young Buffaloes, who dumped out holders Nsingizini Hotspurs 1-0, in what promises to be a blockbuster semi-final clash this Saturday.
Leave a comment