Mbabane Highlanders ………….. (3) 5
Phewa 2nd, 5th, Bongumenzi 19th, Nkosivumile 68th, Gumede 88th
Royal Leopard…………………..… (1) 2
Hleliso 15th, 87th
SOCCER – Mbabane Highlanders continued their fine form as the season wraps up, securing an emphatic 5-1 win over Royal Leopard to end an eight-year winless jinx against the police side.
The match was played at Prince of Wales Ground yesterday and despite initial concerns over the playability of the pitch, the match kicked off under a light drizzle on a cold Mbabane afternoon.
The capital city giants started the match on the front foot and made it pay in the second minute with Phewa finding the back of the net early.
This helped set the tone moving forward with Highlanders winning a penalty three minutes later after Bongumenzi Khumalo was brought down during sustained pressure.
Phewa once again stepped up to the penalty spot and calmly slotted away the effort.
Leopard did not let their heads drop and were able to pull one back through top goal scorer Hleliso Gamedze, who eased the pressure in the 15th minute.
However, that joy was short-lived as Highlanders were able to restore the two-goal advantage in the 19th minute through Bongumenzi Khumalo.
Some fancy footwork saw him dribble into the box and he put the ball into the bottom corner, much to the delight of the home fans.
Leopard tried to get back in the game but were unable to play their signature passing game due to the wet and muddy pitch. The match went to the break with Highlanders in the lead and looking the better side.
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Royal Leopard made a change in the goalkeeping department in the second half, bringing on Samkeliso ‘Mavivane’ Dlamini for Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini.
The new goalkeeper made two saves after coming on as he kept Highlanders at bay, with Phewa looking to complete his hat-trick.
With fog coming down and beginning to hinder visibility on the pitch, Highlanders pressed their advantage and found a fourth in the 68th minute through Nkosivumile Zulu.
With confidence riding high and the match pretty much wrapped up, the capital city giants made sure to put the result beyond any doubt in the 85th minute as Smiso Gumede got in on the scoring action to make it 5-1.
For Leopard, they only managed to get another consolation goal in three minutes before full time as Hleliso once again found the back of the net to bag his brace.
The final whistle came and the jubilant fans celebrated with the players as they broke the eight-year jinx.
