(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)
Nsingizini Hotspurs………….. 1
Quality 41st
Mb. Highlanders AM……….. 0
NHLANGANO – From the frying pan into the fire!
That is the grim reality facing Mbabane Highlanders AM after suffering back-to-back defeats, with yesterday’s narrow loss to Nsingizini Hotspurs following their 2-0 setback against Royal Leopard last weekend.
Quality Dlamini’s first-half strike proved the difference in a fiercely contested encounter played under a merciless sun, with temperatures soaring to 35 degrees Celsius at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in front of more than 1 000 spectators.
While the result deepened Highlanders’ woes, it offered Nsingizini a timely shot in the arm as the defending champions returned to winning ways after being held to a goalless draw by Ezulwini United.
seized the initiative
The match unfolded as a tale of two halves, with Nsingizini dictating proceedings in the opening stanza before Highlanders seized the initiative after the break, throwing everything at their opponents in a desperate search for an equaliser.
Quality had an early opportunity to draw first blood, but Highlanders goalkeeper Qiniso Nyawo produced a fine save to deny the Nsingizini forward.
Highlanders attempted to impose themselves on the contest, but their attacking moves repeatedly unravelled in the final third, where the decisive touch eluded them.
Nsingizini eventually found the breakthrough in the 41st minute when Quality carved his way through the Highlanders defence before beating Nyawo with a composed finish across goal.
The ‘Bull’ nearly responded two minutes later when Hopewell Cele unleashed a free-kick, only for Nsingizini goalkeeper Felizwe Vilakati to stand firm and preserve his side’s slender advantage.
After the interval, Nsingizini threatened to put the contest beyond Highlanders’ reach. Emmanuel Sarpong came close to doubling the lead in the early stages of the second half, but Nyawo was equal to the task, producing another important save.
found their rhythm
Highlanders gradually found their rhythm, stringing together passes and pushing forward in greater numbers. However, for all their possession and attacking intent, their moves continued to lose momentum in the final third, with Nsingizini’s defence refusing to buckle.
Cele came agonisingly close to restoring parity with 20 minutes remaining, but his volley flashed narrowly wide of the target, leaving Highlanders still searching for the elusive breakthrough.
At the other end, Thulani Njingane almost punished Nyawo after the goalkeeper strayed off his line, but his effort drifted inches wide as Nsingizini threatened to kill off the contest.
breathtaking sequence
With just five minutes remaining, Nkosivumile Zulu struck the woodwork twice in a breathtaking sequence, with Vilakati beaten, but the goal refusing to yield. It was a double reprieve for Nsingizini and a cruel twist for Highlanders, whose desperate pursuit of an equaliser was met by the unforgiving sound of timber.
Off the pitch, Highlanders President Shauwn ‘Mamkhize’ Mkhize was notably absent from the stands, while his counterpart Derrick Shiba, was in attendance.
