A SEASON TO FORGET!

Life is full of ‘what ifs?’
Everyone can write an alternative history of how things could have been very different, if only. Never more so, than in sport, where fractions can be the difference between everlasting glory and enduring ignominy. Long before the deadly coronavirus brought the football season to a juddering halt, some 11 players have endured a season to forget in a hurry. Some have had dished out colourless performances, not living up to the high standards they had set the previous season while some have been literally twiddling their thumbs, watching from the sidelines for one reason or another. The 2019/2020 season will be remembered not just for what COVID-19 did to the whole world, turning it upside down, but for some, they will obviously look back at the season with trepidation.  Sports Editor, LWAZI DLAMINI, continues with the series of articles and today picks the 11 players who would want to forget the 2019/2020 season in a hurry.

1. LEON MANYISA
 (MANZINI WANDERERS)
The Green Mamba development product has endured a very long and painful period on the sidelines after transgressing between Vovovo FC, Manzini Wanderers and Armenia’s FC Van before coming back to re-join the ‘Weslians’ – all in one season. Consequently after returning to don the famed maroon and white kit, even scoring against Malanti Chiefs with a swerving free kick on December 2, 2019, he has not kicked a ball in anger. The prolonged football season suspension means he has to wait even longer to play football next season and he recently voiced out his frustration in an exclusive interview with this newspaper.

2. DARREN ‘DAZZA’ CHRISTIE
(MANZINI SEA BIRDS)
The talented wing wizard has had a season to forget with Manzini Sea Birds after he joined from Denver Sundowns. God knows what will happen next in his football career but there is no doubt, when he is on song, he is one of the most exciting players you will ever get to watch on local football fields - Dazzling ‘Dazza’.

3. SANDILE ‘NKOMISHI’ GININDZA
(MBABANE SWALLOWS)
Since his return from South Africa’s Mbombela United, ‘Nkomishi’ has been confined to the bench by the towering Sandanezwe Mathabela. Coach, Honour Janza seems to prefer the current Sihlangu number one shot-stopper ahead of the experienced ‘Nkomishi’, who before his departure to Mzansi’s National First Division side was the safest pair of hands for the Swallows of Mbabane.

4. VUSIMUZI ZUNGU
(MBABANE SWALLOWS)
When he crossed the rubicon, signing from traditional rivals Mbabane Highlanders, he was touted as a perfect replacement for the departed Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu but the gangly midfielder has failed to live up to his reputation. Anonymous inside the field you cannot even pick him up with a magnifying glass, Zungu has not contributed anything to the Swallows cause this season. He has even been confined to the bench if not the grandstand by the technical bench headed by Zambian mentor Honour Janza.

5. SIYABONGA ‘MSHOLOZI’ MDLULI (BLACK SWALLOWS)
With all his experience and leadership skill, ‘Msholozi’, before the coronavirus hit the season for a six, was having cameo appearances for the relegation haunted Pigg’s Peak based outfit. Not surprising he is not getting any younger.

6. MFANUFIKILE ‘FASH’ NDZIMANDZE (BLACK SWALLOWS)
Following his stand-off with his previous team, Manzini Wanderers, the blonde-haired striker spent some few weeks twiddling his thumbs at home, in the rolling hills of Khalangilile before resurfacing at the Pigg’s Peak based outfit. He announced his arrival with a goal against Moneni Pirates on February 23 at

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