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SEA BIRDS STUN BULL

By Xolisile Sacolo | 2024-10-06

Sea Birds...................(1) 2

Highlanders ...............(0) 0

Soccer - Manzini Sea Birds proved too strong for Mbabane Highlanders, triumphing over their rivals in an MTN Premier League game played yesterday.

The blows were delivered by the razor-sharp Mayibongwe ‘Suarez’ Mabuza, who once again proved his quality against Highlanders, having previously scored a brace in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. The Sea Birds sailed to a 3-1 victory in that match.

Mthokozisi Gwebu put the final nail on the coffin for Highlanders with a tap-in deep into added time, capping off a dazzling display of clinical finishing from the Sea Birds.

The goal effectively extinguished any lingering hopes of a late comeback for the hosts, as Sea Birds' dominance was rewarded with a well-deserved three points.

The hard-fought victory saw Sea Birds preserve their sixth -place position in the MTN Premier League standings, while Highlanders remained rooted to the ninth spot, yet to break into the top half of the table.

The match commenced at a frenetic pace, with both teams probing for an early breakthrough. In the 11th minute, a swift counterattack saw pacey attacking midfielder Mayibongwe ‘Suarez’ Mabuza blaze his shot over the crossbar, squandering a gilt-edged opportunity. As the half wore on,

Mbabane Highlanders crafted their own chance in the 30th minute, only to be denied by Manzini Sea Birds goalkeeper Ntokozo ‘Brown’ Shabangu's astute positioning. With the game finely poised,’

Suarez’ made amends for his earlier miss, pouncing on a pin-point pass from Sabelo Gamedze and clinically firing a low shot past the despairing dive of the Highlanders goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini.

As the half-time whistle blew, the Sea Birds faithful celebrated their team's slender lead, while the Highlanders faithful left the stands deflated, their team seemingly unable to breach their opponent's defense. progressed As the game progressed in the second half, Sea Birds refused to relent, their attacking pushing Highlanders back into their own half.

In the 66th minute, Highlanders' defensive were exposed once more, as an injury forced Kwezi Matsebula's substitution, Kenneth Moloto making his debut for the side after joining recently . Highlanders desperately sought to draw level, but their efforts went unanswered. Instead, Mthokozisi Gwebu pounced on a defensive blunder, snatching the second goal of the game for the Sea Birds to extend their lead to 2-0.

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