SOCCER – UBOMBO Sugar head coach Tarisayi Changara believes Mbabane Highlanders AM were fortunate to win their PLE Charity Cup semi-final after edging his side 5-3 in a penalty shoot-out at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday.
The two teams played a goalless draw in regulation time before Highlanders held their nerve to secure a place in the final.
Changara admitted that his side struggled to play their usual brand of football in the first half, forcing him to make tactical adjustments after the break. He attributed the players’ sluggish performance to the rain and wet pitch, which made it difficult for them to execute their usual style of play.
“We had to change our plan in the second half because we were not doing what we are used to doing due to the wet pitch. The boys were a bit sluggish and things were not going according to our expectations,” Changara said.
against Highlanders.
Despite the defeat, the coach was pleased with his players’ effort but felt Highlanders had been fortunate to progress, given how closely contested the match was.
“Highlanders were lucky to win this game. It was not an easy match but I am happy with the boys and the effort they put in,” he said. Meanwhile, Highlanders head coach Thembela Dlamini revealed that his technical team had anticipated a possible penalty shoot-out and prepared the players accordingly. Dlamini said they knew Ubombo Sugar had confidence in their young goalkeeper Phila Dlamini and had factored that into their preparations for a possible shoot-out.
“We had planned for penalties. We knew they believed in their young goalkeeper, so we had to be ready for that situation,” Dlamini said.
The victory saw Highlanders once again eliminate Ubombo in a penalty shoot-out, repeating their success over the sugar belt side in the Trade Fair Cup at Mavuso Sports Centre.
