Mbabane Highlanders……….. (1)2
Giggs 31st, Mopina 52nd
Nsingizini Hotspurs ………………(0)1
Kwakhe 71st
SOCCER – SPIRITED Mbabane Highlanders emerged from their shells, delivering a determined performance to beat Nsingizini Hotspurs 2-1 in a drama-filled encounter at Mavuso Sports Centre.
The game was marred by ‘muti’ shenanigans within eight minutes of regulation time remaining, leading to a stoppage of over 10 minutes as fans and officials from both sides invaded the field. Punches were exchanged and police had to intervene to calm the situation and clear the pitch before play could resume.
The result ended Nsingizini Hotspurs’ 14-game unbeaten run in the MTN Premier League and in the process, saw them surrender their place at the top of the log standings as Royal Leopard won their game against Madlenya to go one point ahead in a fierce title race, with six points still up for grabs in the remaining two matches before the curtain falls on what has been an exhilarating season of football. Over 3 000 football fanatics came through to witness the clash, whose pre-match hype was matched by electrifying performances on the field and passionate emotions from both sets of supporters and technical benches, summing up the importance of the day’s result.
Highlanders desperately want to end the season on a high under their new management led by Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane and reaffirm their status as one of the country’s biggest clubs, while Nsingizini are gunning for their first-ever MTN League crown.
The violent scenes erupted when Nsingizini player raced to the Highlanders’ goalposts and allegedly attempted to pour something on them. Highlanders’ players tackled him rugby-style to stop what was alleged to be a foreign substance (muti), prompting fans to storm the field and join the fray.
Underdogs Highlanders were determined from the first whistle to get something from the match and broke the deadlock a minute after the hour mark through Majahesibili ‘Giggs’ Ndlovu, who toe-poked home after the Nsingizini defence failed to clear a Delisa Gama cross from the left. From that moment, it was clear Nsingizini would not get the game served on a silver platter and would have to fight for it. Highlanders then doubled their lead in the 52nd minute, this time through a close-range strike by Fabrice Mopina. Siyabonga Mkhonta’s corner kick was met by a Gama header, which ricocheted off goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala’s right upright and fell to Mopina’s feet for a composed finish.
Nsingizini reduced the deficit in the 77th minute through Kwakhe Thwala, who blasted into the roof of the net at the far post following decent work by Ayanda Gadlela on the right-hand side of the box. At the sound of the final whistle, Highlanders supporters and players celebrated the win as if they had won the league itself. More importantly, the country’s most successful club in history is showing signs of rising from the ashes.
As promised, the players shared E25 000 after the match, a gesture confirmed by the club’s acting chairman Mandla Simelane, giving the players even more reason to celebrate.
