Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ ARE SIMPLY THE BEST

‘BIRDS’ ARE SIMPLY THE BEST
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BY SABELO NDZINISA  on 30/06/2020 23:48:00


MBABANE – They are simply the best. Mbabane Swallows hold the record of being
the most successful team in local football history in the past 18 years.
According to official Eswatini Football Association (EFA) records showing the
trophy laden teams’ table since 2002, the red and white glamour giants are
perched at the top with a gross collection of 23 trophies within this period.
It is interesting to note that they are miles apart from the rest of the teams
including the three security forces sides in Royal Leopard, Green Mamba and
Young Buffaloes.
A total of six local Premier League tournaments were used to compile this table
by the country’s football mother body. For the main tournament, which is the
MTN Premier League, the ‘Birds’, as Swallows are fondly known in football
circles, have won it six times. They also won the Ingwenyama Cup and
EswatiniBank Cup three times respectively and enjoyed a lot of success in the
Eswatini Charity Cup, which they won four times.
Supreme
The table actually shows that the capital city giants have won all tournaments
on offer in the Premier League as they also reigned supreme in the now defunct
Castle Premier Challenge and Trade Fair Cup, which they both won three times.
Leopard are second behind Swallows with a total collection of 15 trophies.
The police force giants have, however, won six Premier League titles, the same
number as Swallows. Leopard also did well in the Charity Cup, which they won
four times, just like Swallows. Once again, just like Swallows, they won the
EswatiniBank Cup three times in this period, easily making them the closest
challengers for Swallows.
Highlanders are placed in fourth position in terms of trophy success as they
have won six tournaments in total, mostly dominated by the charity cup (four
times) and EswatiniBank Cup which they won twice. Despite only last winning a
tournament in 2005, Manzini Wanderers make the top six as they managed to win
four trophies in this period.
They enjoyed most success in the charity cup, which they lifted three times.
Denver Sundowns are above city rivals Moneni Pirates as they won three trophies,
one better than the Moneni giants.