MBABANE – Struggling capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders are forced to navigate the tricky weekend fixture without one of their most powerful weapons.
Highlanders travel to Mhlume tomorrow to lock horns with Green Mamba in a clash where the stakes could not be higher. While ‘Inyoka Eluhlazana’ sit in seventh, Highlanders are currently looking over their shoulders, hovering two points above the trapdoor of the MTN Premier League relegation zone.
As ‘Bull’s focus shifts entirely to a survival scrap in these remaining 11 fixtures, they have been dealt a major blow. Their attacker Siyabonga Mkhonto is unavailable for selection. Mkhonto has been caught in the crosshairs of the yellow card rule, joining seven other top-flight players on the sidelines. According to the 2026 PLE Master Rules, any player accumulating three straight cautions earns an automatic one-match ban.
Mkhonto has been a rare bright spark among the Highlanders forwards, consistently scoring for the team. He last found the back of the net in week 18, which was the 4-2 defeat by log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs. His absence leaves a gaping hole in the ‘Bull’s front line at the worst possible time.
However, it is not only them in this predicament, Green Mamba will also be missing the services of the suspended Sabelo Simelane. Nevertheless, the green-and-white outfit will be smelling blood as they look to worsen the black and white outfit’s relegation woes and hand new boss Solaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala a rude welcome in the dugout. Other players set to watch from the stands this weekend include Malanti Chiefs veteran striker, Sandile Hlatjwako, Moneni Pirates’ Bi Zahi Herve and Young Buffaloes’ Sandile Mbingo, among others.
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Mbabane Highlanders are minus gifted midfielder Siyabonga Mkhonto in the crunch MTN Premier League clash against Green Mamba this weekend. (File pic)