SOCCER – MBABANE Highlanders President Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize says she joined the black-and-gold outfit with one mission, to end the club’s painful run against bitter rivals Mbabane Swallows.
Highlanders finally broke the derby curse with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Swallows at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday, ending a winless streak that had stretched over at least eight meetings.
The South African businesswoman could not hide her excitement after witnessing one of Highlanders’ most memorable derby triumphs in recent years.
Seated among supporters alongside club officials, MaMkhize celebrated passionately at the final whistle as jubilant Highlanders fans erupted in celebration.
Speaking after the match, Mkhize said her arrival at the club was driven by a desire to restore a winning mentality and remove the psychological burden that had haunted the side whenever they faced Swallows.
“I came here to break the curse of all the games that Highlanders have failed to win against Swallows,” said Mkhize.
She described the encounter as an entertaining and emotional derby that reflected the passion and intensity associated with one of Eswatini’s biggest football rivalries.
Mkhize acknowledged there were tense moments during the clash, including incidents involving shoving between players and officials, but insisted the match still captured the true spirit of football.
“The match between the two teams was exciting. Despite the scenes of shoving during the match, it was still an exciting derby,” she said.
She added that football should entertain supporters and unite communities, saying the atmosphere at Somhlolo National Stadium reflected what the sport is all about.
“Football is meant to create fun and bring people together. This derby is what football is supposed to be like. The professionalism in this match was out of this world,” she said.
