SOCCER – MBABANE Highlanders AM President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize says her side chose to let their football do the talking as the capital city giants handed Amawele a heavy 4-1 defeat.
The result came after Amawele boss and former Highlanders director Chief Ally Kgomongwe had confidently declared ahead of the encounter that his new side would show no mercy to his former club.
However, it was Highlanders who had the final say, producing a commanding performance to secure bragging rights and, more importantly, all three points.
Rather than engaging in a war of words before the match, MaMkhize said Highlanders preferred to settle the matter on the pitch.
“We do not like to do our talking in the streets or on social media. We did our talking where it matters the most, on the field,” she said. The Highlanders AM president was equally cautious when asked whether she regarded Amawele as rivals, insisting that her focus remained on her own team rather than the opposition.
“I don’t think we are rivals with them or anybody, really. We just want to play the best we can and win as many games as possible. Well done to the boys today with their performance,” she said.
Her comments underline the Highlanders camp’s approach of allowing results to speak louder than pre-match exchanges.
For Amawele, however, the defeat was a setback as the club continues to shape its squad and search for consistency.
Kgomongwe admitted that his team did not have sufficient time to prepare for the match but believes the extension of the transfer window will give them an opportunity to strengthen the squad and prepare better.
“We are going back to the drawing board. We did not have enough time to prepare but with the extension of the window period, we will have more time to prepare the team,” Kgomongwe said.
He also felt that avoidable mistakes proved costly, particularly the goals his side conceded.
“We conceded soft goals on the day and that cost us the game. We will pick ourselves up and try again,” he said.
While Amawele now turn their attention to rebuilding, Highlanders will hope their emphatic victory continues to speak for them where it matters most – on the pitch.
