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Pure drama in real life!

04/05/2010 00:00:00 LWAZI DLAMINI

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Down to the wire! Photo-finish! Cliff-hanger! Neck-to-neck! Cutting edge! On a knife edge!
You can pick any of those adjectives but it still cannot tell half the incredible story of this year’s energy sapping MTN league 2009/10 season.

After this past weekend league games, whose results saw the title race taking another enthralling turn and the relegation battle creating its own sustained drama, bookmakers can start takings bets, amateurish economists can take out their electronic calculators because every point and every goal will count and could be the difference between everlasting joy and enduring ignominy. As Young Buffaloes head coach, Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini walked dejectedly blaming everything under the sun – from referees to outside forces, it told the story of how the pressure mounted by title challengers, Mbabane Swallows and by extension, Malanti Chiefs is starting to prove a tad too much for the army side.

Having finished the first round nine points clear, turning the league title race into a one horse canter, Buffaloes have dropped points quicker than a croupier raking in chips at a casino.
It looked like a one horse canter into a three horse race with a game to play.

For the neutralists and soccer pundits, it has elevated the excitement of the league to the same dizzy heights as the English premiership – where Chelsea lead Manchester United with a single point – or the Spanish Laliga where Barcelona lead arch rivals, Real Madrid with a single point as well.

In terms of entertainment, sustained drama, palpable tension, the MTN league comes second to none or is up there with the best in the world. The games are likely to be played next weekend as Mbabane Swallows have been invited to represent Swaziland in the Premier Cup in Nelspruit, but the tension is already so thick that you could cut through it with a blunt knife. We weigh the prospects of the title chasers and what the last game meant to all three teams. Enjoy your reading……….

YOUNG BUFFALOES
Vs Eleven Men In Flight

What victory would mean:
Victory for Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini would clinch the league championship they have worked so hard to attain after gruelling ten months irrespective of all the other title challengers results. It doesn’t matter what scoreline they get on the day but victory would land the trophy at Mbuluzi Barracks where champagne corks would pop and would be louder than a 21-gun salute!

What a draw would mean:
A draw would leave Buffaloes title hopes hanging by a thread as they would be looking over their shoulders on how Swallows fare against Manzini Wanderers. It would be too much of a risk for ‘Ace’ Dlamini and his troops to settle for a draw because on this day, it could be as good as defeat.
What a loss would mean:
It would be catastrophic!
Ten months of hard work, grit and determination would end up a river of tears and it would surely leave the players, management and in particular, coach, ‘Ace’ Dlamini inconsolable.
A loss would simply mean Mbabane Swallows would clinch the championship even if they manage a draw against Manzini Wanderers, never mind if the ‘Beautiful Birds’ manage to walk over the inconsistent ‘Weslians’.
Simply unthinkable.

MBABANE SWALLOWS
Vs Manzini Wanderers

What victory would mean:
A rare-as-hen’s-tooth victory over their hoodoo side will give Swallows the chance to clinch the championship in the event Buffaloes falter against Eleven Men. It would also cancel out Malanti Chiefs’ hopes of league glory even if Young Buffaloes lose their game against desperate Eleven Men In Flight.
What a draw would mean:
It would be a huge dent to Swallows title aspirations and would leave them, at best, needing Buffaloes to either draw or lose their game against Eleven Men In Flight or at worst, Malanti Chiefs losing or playing to a draw with relegation fighting Hub Sundowns.
What a loss would mean:
It would end their league championship dreams and would leave Young Buffaloes needing a draw to clinch the coveted trophy even if Malanti Chiefs beat Hub Sundowns. The late surge for league glory would have been in vain.

MALANTI CHIEFS
Vs Hub Sundowns

What victory would mean:
It would keep the Pigg’s Peak side in with a chance to sneak through and steal the glory right under the noses of Young Buffaloes and Mbabane Swallows in particular if they win with more than three goals and not concede. But they would need current log leaders, Young Buffaloes to lose and Mbabane Swallows to either lose or play to a draw as that would mean they could win the league trophy on a better goal difference to Buffaloes.
What a draw would mean:
It would end any hopes of winning the league trophy even if both Buffaloes and Swallows lose their last games. It can only assure them a top three finish – their highest since promotion to the elite league.
What a loss would mean:
Any lofty dreams of snatching the coveted trophy would have been shattered beyond recognition! If anything, it would mean Hub Sundowns would have a better chance of avoiding straight relegation instead qualifying for the play-offs. Malanti Chiefs would be assured of a top three finish.