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IT’S ‘BIRDS’ VS SECURITY FORCES AGAIN

20/04/2021 14:34:00 Lwazi Dlamini - Pandora's Box

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My dearest readers....

When Mbabane Swallows went on a 51-league game unbeaten run that started on May 15, 2016 ending on September 30, 2018, it really felt as monotonous as watching Will Smith and his dog in the post-apocalyptic movie ‘I am Legend’. All of us being the mutt in this analogy. Everybody was waiting for the day Swallows would lose a league game and it duly arrived on Sunday, September 30 at Somhlolo National Stadium when Green Mamba cruised to a 2-0 victory over Swallows, ending 4 607 minutes of play without defeat for the Swallows of Mbabane. It was a salient moment. Caleb Ngwenya and his brave battalions went on to win the 2018/2019 MTN league title, dethroning the red and white glamour side.

As the MTN league 2020/2021 season keeps all of us on the tenterhooks with its unpredictability, intriguing results, suspense and drama, a familiar pattern is being played out. Sorry Manzini Sea Birds, I know you probably walking with a new spring in your steps these days as you surprisingly occupy the second spot on the log standings. But Denver Sundowns, Manzini Wanderers and rookies, Tinyosi FC have all had the same feeling of even being top of the pile.

enthralling

It speaks to the enthralling nature of this season’s league, which has had more leaders than the United Nations Security Council. Whether ‘Izinyoni Zolwandle’ can sustain such a spirited fight for the coveted league title – with four wins, three draws and unbeaten thus far – will be seen tomorrow when they take on the self-same Swallows in the ‘battle of the birds’ down south at the iconic King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium.

One thing is certain though and history backs the State-of-the-Nation-Sports-Address (SONSA). since the late Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini’s predominantly youthful Mhlambanyatsi Rovers won the league title in the 2003-2004 season, the holy grail of Eswatini football has been shared between Mbabane Swallows and the three security forces sides, Royal Leopard, Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes. In that order, might I add. No other civilian team has won the league title other than the Swallows of Mbabane.