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‘BIRDS’ MUST REINFORCE FOR AFRICA

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My dearest readers ... Don’t gasp. It is so true. Invincible Mbabane Swallows has ended the 2017/18 MTN league first round unbeaten, with 10 wins and three draws.

Even more scarier they have now played 35 league games unbeaten, having last lost a league game on May 15, 2016 – a 3-1 defeat to then champions, Royal Leopard on the final day of the 2015/16 season. Unstoppable. Invincible but if truth be told, Sunday’s performance in the 1-all draw with Malanti Chiefs was dreary and the Pigg’s Peak based outfit truly spoilt the celebrations.

Like they have been all the first round period, there were no frills or thrills in Swallows play – it was a subdued workmanship-like performance which ended with mundane celebrations. But the statistics, never mind the countless missed opportunities during the game, are still frightening and reflective of their current dominance of local football. 


They have even prompted questions whether anyone can halt them or whether they can match the 49 unbeaten league game run like the Gunners of London (Arsenal) in the remarkable 2003-04 season. Swallows’ unbeaten record predictions are not premature, given that they actually went the entire league campaign last season without a stench of a defeat.

They will probably stumble somewhere during the obstacle course of a long season, like they did when faltering Matsapha United stopped their 26-unbeaten run in all competitions on the memorable Sunday of March 5 in the last 16 stage of the SwaziBank Cup. They could lose the next league game against their nemesis Young Buffaloes on Sunday, who remarkably scored first in the opening league fixture this season on September 10.

If truth be told, they are not as slick as they were last season. They dearly miss the goal scoring exploits of goal-a-game striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa; they do not boss the midfield as they did when Pappy Kabamba ate the whole centre-circle like a Pac-man. This is football and it has not lost its romance. There are no guarantees even though the Swallows of Mbabane does seem to be allergic to a league defeat. They still continue to string opponents with such impunity as though strumming a Spanish guitar.

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