By Lwazi Dlamini
(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
An 86th-minute goal by second-half substitute Tshwarelo Bereng handed Mbabane Highlanders an emphatic 3-2 win over their nemesis Royal Leopard in a five-goal thriller at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday afternoon.
Bereng, who came in for Ndumiso ‘Skhokho’ Shongwe, finished sublimely with a low shot that nestled at the far corner of the net after a good pass from another substitute Tony ‘Ben 10’ Muchacha.
The goal, which proved to be the winner was wildly celebrated by the motley group of Highlanders supporters who had watched in anguish Leopard take the lead at the time it takes to boil an egg, exactly three minutes from the boot of Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini.
Highlanders found the equalizer through Musa Dlamini who finished off unmarked inside the box ten minutes before halftime. Then from a glaring off-side position, Highlanders striker, Philani Mkhontfo netted the second goal a minute before half-time.
‘Mzoro’ was back again to haunt his former team, heading home a Sifiso ‘Junior’ Magagula corner kick five minutes after the hour-mark. When it looked like the six-year jinx of not winning against Leopard in a league match was set to continue, Bereng popped up to score a stupendous goal, finishing sublimely an inch-perfect pass from Muchacha.
TODAY’S MTN LEAGUE RESULTS:
Moneni Pirates 2 Manzini Sea Birds 1
Mbabane Highlanders 3 Royal Leopard 2
Nsingizini Hotspurs 1 Tambankulu Callies 1
