Africa-Press – Eswatini. NoneOver 1 500 were handed a performance worth the E50 entrance fee at Mavuso Sports Centre by Ezulwini United and Mbabane Highlanders.
The two sides shared the spoils in a 2-all draw in a pulsating clash played on Sunday
The ‘Stingers’ were able to maintain their unbeaten run in the league and maintain their winning momentum against the crowd pullers following their early cup success in the 8Bet Trade Fair.
‘The host drew first blood with the match four minutes into action through defensive midfielder Siboniso Motsa’s low shot, which resulted in a howler from the opposition goalkeeper Sisekelo Maseko.
Maseko spilled the ball into his own net, much to the disappointment to his team’s fans.
United nearly doubled the advantage 12 minutes later when former Highlanders player Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini missed a sitter from a break attack.
Ezulwini doubled the advantage in the 24th minute through their Ghanaian import Alvin Shabashi from a goalmouth scramble.
Highlanders reduced the deficit in the 34th minutes through a Msimisi Zwane rebound from a Siyabonga Mkhonto low cross.
Highlanders coach Ernest Mavuso then rested Sisekelo Maseko for Ghanaian international goalkeeper Innocent Adja.
The match to the break with ‘Stingers’ sitting in the driver’s seat.
The second half saw Highlanders coming out more recharged in search of an equaliser, with right back Ndumiso Dlamini missing a sitter two minutes into the restart from a Siwakhile Shongwe pass.
The crowd pullers levelled matters before the hour mark through a Vusi Vilakati spot kick.
The veteran defender sent United goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula in the opposition direction after Siyabonga Mkhonto was tripped inside the box.
Shabashi was unlucky not to snatch the winner in the 70th minutes when he hit the crossbar with a sublime strike from a break attack with his countryman Adja well beaten.
Highlander’s captain Siphamandla Maseko missed a glorious opportunity two minutes later after firing the ball wide from a crispy pass from second-half substitute Majesibili Ndlovu.
The result saw United remain third in the log table with 13 points after seven matches, while Highlanders are sitting ninth with nine points after seven matches.
Other matches saw Mbabane Swallows play to 1-all draw against Malanti Chiefs at Mayaluka Stadium while Rangers were held to a 1-all draw by Sisonkhe at King Sobhuza II Stadium.
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