MBABANE Highlanders almost back to their old selves again and the man behind the revival is South African coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala.
Since replacing Ernest Mavuso, Mosala has guided the Black Bulls to 11 points from a possible 15 with three wins and two draws in five matches. After a worrying start to the season that had them staring at the threat of relegation, Highlanders produced a professional performance to secure a 1-0 victory over Malanti Chiefs at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
The lone goal came from Siyabonga Mkhonto whose 53rd-minute strike was a moment of genuine quality that left goalkeeper Bongiswa ‘Khune’ Dlamini with no chance.
First things first, Sandile Hlatshwako who was deployed in an unfamiliar centre-back position almost gifted Highlanders the lead when he took time to clear the ball two minutes before the quarter-hour mark, allowing Zwelihle Phewa to close the space, blasting his clearance against the South African with the ball falling kindly for Sikhumbuzo Mazibuko who volleyed over from 12 yards out.
In Malanti’s best chance up to this point, in the 22nd minute to be precise, Sanele Mamba received a long ball from Mfundo Kunene inside the big box, sent a dummy to an onrushing Delisa Gama who was handed the armband in the absence of the suspended Ndumiso ‘Ndura’ Mabuza and Malanti forced a brilliant save from Highlanders goalkeeper Sisekelo Maseko who pushed the low across around the upright.
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With little or no clear-cut chances, the game went for the breather goalless.
At resumption, Highlanders coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala introduced the impressive Sphiwe Cele to try and ignite urgency inside attack, replacing Mpilonhle Khumalo.
The change worked like a charm eight minutes into the second half. Sandile Hlatshwako committed a foul next to the corner kick spot and the vastly improved Siyabonga Mkhonto stepped up to take the corner, scoring a wondrous goal from that compromising position, beating Bongiswa ‘Khune’ Dlamini at the Highlanders sticks hands down.
In the next three minutes after this goal, in what were surely ‘three minutes of madness’, Highlanders could have scored two in quick succession.
First, ‘Khune’ bravely saved Siyabonga’s point-blank attempt after the winger benefitted from a Phewa pull back. Next, Malanti failed to clear their lines but striker Msimisi Zwane failed to connect with a stray ball to let the visitors off the hook.
Malanti breathed a sigh of relief after this, and the game was supposed to be over as a contest at this point.
With Highlanders content with keeping possession and winding up time, Isaac Yaboah nearly punished them with four minutes of regulation time remaining with a glancing header from an inviting Sandile ‘Lion’ Mazibuko cross that missed the target by a whisker.
Highlanders emerged with maximum points at the sound of the final whistle as their rejuvenation under ‘Sly’ continues, impressively so.
