Africa-Press – Eswatini. Capital city side Mbabane Highlanders annihilated Manzini Wanderers 6-1 in an MTN Premier League game at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday
In a season they would like to quickly forget, the Weslians have had nothing to smile about to date and the recent defeat to Highlanders is further testament that something needs to change and quickly. Wanderers have been struggling since the beginning of the season and flirting with relegation.
The hub giants should have taken the lead just two minutes into the game when Mlamuli Nkambule played a brilliant through ball for Siphamandla Dhlamini, who missed the target.
It was end-to-end stuff with the teams threatening to tear each other apart. The match saw both teams coming hard at each other but failed to find the back of the net.
Highlanders opened the scorers chart in the 39th minute and this time Mkhontfo scored at the second attempt from close range to make it 1-0 in favour of Highlanders. The Black Bull then took control of the encounter keeping the Weslians defence very busy.
Pupu, who was looking lively, did well to set-up his Bull teammate Mkhonto in the 41st minute, but the latter fired wide of the target. The match went to break with Highlanders leading 1-0.
The second half saw Highlanders continuing where they left off, as they pushed forward in search of another goal.
In the 55th minute, Menzi Sithole doubled the lead for Highlanders with a great header. He completed a great team goal with Wanderers defence caught napping.
Coach Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe decided to make changes – bringing in Banele ‘Banny’ Mduli and Simanga Shongwe.
Wanderers tried to push number forward in search for a goal but Highlanders goalkeeper Ntokozo denied Simanga Shongwe on two occasions.
Things went from bad to worse for Wanderers as Highlanders scored their third goal through Siwakhile Shongwe, who received a great cross from Pupu.
Highlanders were now in control of the game as Sithole scored with an easy tap in making it 4-0 to the Black Bull in the 88th minute. The former Swallows player grabbed his brace with another simple tap in with the Wanderers defence exposed with 2 minutes left on the clock.
Highlanders did not take their foot off the pedal as also Koko score their fifth goal in the 90th minute. This was after a good interchange of passes by Highlanders players.
With Highlanders in cruise control and much against the run of play, Wanderers scored a consolation goal through Simanga Shongwe, who beat the goalkeeper hands down with a great shot.
That was not the end of it as Highlander put the final nail on Wanderers coffin. It was substitute Kenneth Moloto, who scored with a great tap in and Highlanders held on to win 6-1 on the day.
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