MANZINI – Skipper Mxolisi Mkhonto fired a brace, as Green Mamba completed a league double over Mbabane Highlanders.
This was during an exciting and tension-filled MTN Premier League game played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday. The match was filled with drama, as both sides officials were seen putting foreign substances at the centre line few minutes before kick-off. This is frowned upon by the Premier League of Eswatini as cited in the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations. Green Mamba beat Highlanders with the same scoreline in the first round.
Coming back to the match, the Ernest Mavuso-led side made their intentions known just seven minutes into the game, they broke the deadlock through Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who calmly collected a pass from the left flank, picked a spot and let fly a scorcher, which gave Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala no chance between the sticks. The visitors were back again five minutes later to extend the lead, through skipper Mxolisi Mkhonto, who after receiving a pass from ‘Sikhali’, looped the ball over the advancing Khanyakwezwe. Highlanders never threatened in the opening minutes of the game, their first attempt at goal came three minutes before the half-hour mark as Philani Mkhonto’s header narrowly missed the target with goalkeeper Xolani Gama at bay. The score at half-time was 2-0 with the Correctional side enjoying the lead.
There was drama as a supporter ran towards the Green Mamba’s post to take a juice bottle for Gama and threw it away. He was later seen being carried to a police van after he was allegedly beaten by a group of supporters at the parking bay. Just 23 seconds into the second stanza, the log leaders made it 3-0 as Mkhonto completed his double after receiving a good pass from ‘Sikhali’. The second half saw the teams making no clear scoring chances as Green Mamba held to their 3-0 lead to enhance their chances of winning the ‘Holy grail’ of local football. The result saw Green Mamba reclaiming the pole position from Young Buffaloes as they are now at 46 points. Highlanders’ chances to win the league were derailed as they trail the leaders by 12 points. They need to fight for the second position with the likes of Mbabane Swallows, Young Buffaloes to return to Africa.