By Lwazi Dlamini
(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Mb. Highlanders……………… (0) 0,
Green Mamba…………………. (2) 3,
(Sabelo Ndzinisa 6th, Mxolisi Mkhontfo 8th, 47th)
MANZINI – Mbabane Highlanders’ 22-year-wait to win the league title is set to continue after any flicker of hope was blown away by an uncompromising Green Mamba who returned to the summit of the log
following a commanding 3-0 win this afternoon at the Mavuso Sports Centre.
The ‘Correctional Services’ side, just like they did in the first round on January 14, cruised to a 3-0 victory through the same two players who scored back then at Ka-Langa Technical Centre.
In the first round, Mxolisi Mkhontfo was the brace hero while Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa also scored. Even this afternoon, it was ‘Sikhali’ who notched up his 11th goal of the campaign with an exquisite finish after Highlanders’ makeshift defence – sorely missing injured strong man Peter Dlamini – was caught in sixes and sevens.
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Mkhontfo, just like he did in the first round, then grabbed two goals in the 8th and 47th minute to silence the Highlanders fans who left the modest venue at a funeral pace.
Highlanders are now 12 points behind Green Mamba with seven games remaining and even their most fanatical supporter would admit it is well and truly over. By the time Highlanders Managing Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe arrived in the 20th minute, Green Mamba had stormed ahead, spoiling his birthday celebrations.
In the end, with a makeshift defence featuring Mandla Palma, Mpendulo Tfomo, Vusumuzi Vilakati and Delisa Gama, the Highlanders were certainly going to find it difficult to keep ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Mthunzi Motsa at bay.
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Highlanders’ goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, who received a national team call-up in midweek, made a huge blunder for the Green Mamba’s second goal, leaving his goalposts and allowing Mkhontfo to lob the ball home from the edge of the box.
Shabalala could not be faulted in the third goal finished off sublimely by the unmarked Mkhontfo inside the box. Highlanders remain fourth on the log standings but a distant 12 points behind Green Mamba who returned to the summit of the log, three points clear of Young Buffaloes with seven games remaining.
