Africa-Press – Eswatini. While it rained, literally, it was also raining goals in the exciting MTN Premier League Super Sunday matches involving the country’s big guns in Manzini Wanderers against Mbabane Highlanders, and Mbabane Swallows against Royal Leopard.
A nine-goal rout was witnessed at the tiny but packed arena. Before the Wanderers and Highlanders clash, five goals were scored between last season’s runners-up Leopard and Swallows, the latter stealing the maximum points when Leopard looked to be the one that could grab the winner after coming from a 2-0 deficit to level matters.
Then came Wanderers and Highlanders where four goals, with Highlanders twice coming from behind, were the order of the day. It was not without any drama, particularly the Wanderers and Inkunz’emnyama (Highlanders) game where two Highlanders’ big key defenders in Vusi Vilakati and Ndumiso Dlamini were stretchered off and taken to the hospital.
The match, locked at 2-1 following former Highlanders midfielder Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule netting their second in 15 minutes from time, Wanderers lost their goalkeeper Mario Janine after he intercepted a clear goalscoring chance out of his box with his hand.
This brought joy to Highlanders as it gave them some fire and soon after threw everything to their rivals who were forced to divert defender Mphumuzi ‘Tower’ Ginindza to goalkeeping as all five substitutes had been made.
He was forced into two match-deciding facts within the closing five minutes as Highlanders were on top of things with their exciting possession football.
They deservedly got the equaliser through Thando Dube who netted his first in the black and gold team kit with just a minute of regulation time left on the clock.
Dube scored a screamer from way out of the 18-area and the makeshift goalie could do nothing about it. However, despite making two big saves, Nkambule was the man of the match for his contribution to both their goals.
Putting Liweseli in front was Siyabonga Simelane at the stroke of half-time, before Highlanders levelled matters 12 minutes into the second half through Ayanda Mabuza.
Wanderers were given all sorts of trouble by South African second-half substitute Sphiwe Hopewell Cele who will definitely cause most wing-backs sleepless nights with his skills to eliminate his markers like they were not there.
In the end, it was a share of spoils between the two giants, with Wanderers also having a new head coach in Gcina Dlamini from Ubombo Sugar.
The result leaves Highlanders at number three with seven points, and Wanderers at number 14 with two points after four games apiece.
Swallows has taken the top spot with nine points in four games. Police outfit Royal Leopard is on 15th with a point in two games while Malanti Chiefs dropped to second with eight points.
Defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs occupy the sixth spot with six points in two games while Moneni Pirates sit behind them with a point short in four matches as well.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
