Africa-Press – Eswatini. Manzini Sea Birds…………………………………(0)1
Innocent 90th
Mbabane Highlanders……………………………(0)1
Philani 84th
(Highlanders win 4-3 after penalties)
Capital City giants Mbabane Highlanders surged into the MoMo Cup semi-final at the expense of a stubborn Manzini Sea Birds during the pulsating play-off final played in front of an impressive crowd at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
The crowd-pullers had to dig deep into their reserves by knocking the resilient hub outfit out of the inaugural knockout tournament to book a ticket into the main day on Sunday to be staged at Somhlolo National Stadium.
The black and white ensemble will now face one of the three seeded teams in Moneni Pirates, Nsingizini Hotspurs and Rangers.
Highlanders were handed a run for their money by the stubborn Christian Thwala-led charges, who displayed a gallant performance against the fancied opposition until they bowed down during penalty shootouts.
The match had the final spark in it as both teams came hard at each other from the onset, with Sea Birds threatening to score with only five minutes into action through a Bhekumuzi Mamba glancing header.
Sea Birds made a forced change midway into the first stanza after Sandumuzi Zwane limped off the field following a bad tackle from Ndumiso Mabuza. The match went to the breather on a barren stalemate. There were no clear chances created by both teams in the resumption of the second half, as play was restricted to the final third of the pitch.
Former Hawane Shooting Stars attacking midfielder Philani Mkhontfo gave Highlanders the lead in the 84th minute with a glancing header.
However, a bad omen befell Highlanders after Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa was given marching orders with a minute remaining on the clock for a second bookable offence.
Sea Birds levelled matters in the 89th minute through Innocent Dlamini’s stunning free-kick forcing the contest to be decided in the lottery shootouts.
The Dumisani ‘DU’ Makhanya-led side scored their penalties through Philani Mkhontfo, Aristo Tamuzi, Kenneth Moloto and Peter Dlamini.
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