(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Pigg’s Peak Professionals………..…(1)1
Ayanda Masinga 19th
Mbabane Highlanders AM……..…(2)2
Nkosivumile Zulu 13th, Simiso Gumede 42nd
LOBAMBA – The president is back, and so is the roar of the ‘Black Bull’.
Mbabane Highlanders AM ended their losing streak with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Pigg’s Peak Professionals yesterday. Back from a business trip in China, Highlanders President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize witnessed her side return to winning ways in front of more than 1 000 fans at Somhlolo National Stadium, where temperatures soared to 30 degrees Celsius.
Under stand-in Coach Thembela Dlamini, the ‘Bull’ showed resilience to overcome the newly-promoted side after consecutive defeats against Royal Leopard and Nsingizini Hotspurs.
‘MaMkhize’ had missed the 1-0 defeat to Nsingizini, after which Head Coach Floyd ‘Mourinho’ Mogale resigned. Thembela Dlamini and Percy Shongwe have since been tasked with keeping the fires burning as the club searches for a new coach.
For Professionals, however, the afternoon brought another dose of disappointment. Thami Dlamini’s charges suffered their third consecutive defeat after previous losses to Amawele and Green Mamba, raising concerns about their adjustment to the elite league.
Their last victory came on September 19, when they defeated fellow promoted side Red Rhinos.
The result lifted Highlanders into the top eight with seven points, while Professionals remained outside the top 10 on four points.
The contest was an absorbing affair, with both sides displaying attacking intent and creating opportunities, although the second half ultimately became a tale of missed chances and goalkeeping heroics.
Professionals threatened almost immediately, with Ayanda Masinga testing Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini barely a minute into the match. The Highlanders goalkeeper, however, was equal to the task.
Highlanders responded, with Hopewell Cele almost breaking the deadlock in the eighth minute after a promising move. His dribbling skills were ultimately thwarted by Professionals defender Banele ‘Makonese’ Dlamini.
The breakthrough arrived in the 13th minute when Nkosivumile Zulu was brought down inside the penalty area. Referee Veliswa Steenkamp pointed to the spot, and Zulu took responsibility, dispatching the penalty into the top-right corner beyond Michael Blankson.
Cele nearly doubled the advantage five minutes later, but Blankson produced a timely save to keep Professionals in the contest.
The home side were back on level terms in the 19th minute. Masinga found space and fired a ground shot past Romario to restore parity, injecting fresh life into the contest.
With half-time approaching, Highlanders struck again. Three minutes before the break, Simiso Gumede unleashed a volley from the edge of the penalty area, sending the ball kissing the top corner as Blankson was caught off guard.
It was a moment of quality that restored Highlanders’ advantage and ultimately proved decisive.
After the restart, Professionals came out firing on all cylinders, forcing Romario, a former Mbabane Swallows goalkeeper into action with a succession of attempts on target.
The Highlanders goalkeeper was made to work overtime as the hosts searched desperately for an equaliser. The ‘Bull’ occasionally ventured forward, but their attacking moves lacked the finishing touch to put the game beyond reach.
With about 30 minutes of the second half played, two contentious incidents brought the match officials under scrutiny.
Professionals appealed for a penalty after Mlungisi Magagula went down inside the box, but Steenkamp awarded a corner kick instead.
The home supporters were further incensed when Magagula headed the ball into the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.
Professionals continued to push until the closing stages, with Magagula coming agonisingly close to levelling matters through a header three minutes before full-time. Once again, Romario stood firm to preserve Highlanders’ slender lead.
When the final whistle sounded, Highlanders had secured a welcome return to winning ways, with Gumede’s first-half strike separating the two sides.
