SEA BIRDS, SWALLOWS IN BATTLE OF ‘BIRDS’

The iconic King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium will be turned into a ‘Zoo’ this afternoon when the two ‘Birds’ of Eswatini premier league cross ‘wings’ in an epic league clash that can easily be declared as the biggest clash of week eight fixtures.

Not only are the two sides perfectly poised as number two (Sea Birds) and number three (Swallows) separated by just two points, but previous encounters have proven to be hard to predict. If anything, the plucky Manzini side, over the years, have proven to be Swallows’ hoodoo side. ‘Izinyoni Zolwandle’ as Manzini Sea Birds are affectionately known, is the surprise package of the enthralling 2020/2021 season as the Gcina Dlamini-coached team are certainly punching above their weight.Three wins including free points from the boardroom table after Moneni Pirates were found guilty of causing the abandonment of the opening fixture on December 12, 2020, has seen the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) presidential hopeful Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane-owned club occupy a lofty second position in seven games played. But in the other ‘Birds’ nest, the Swallows of Mbabane will certainly meet their match.

devastating

Swallows has been in devastating form, scoring 13 goals in four games and conceding only two to send a clear statement of intent to fight for the coveted league title even this season. This has been the hallmark of the ‘Beautiful Birds’ who have challenged the security forces hegemony in the last 18 years with unmatched excellence. To be precise, the Swallows of Mbabane are the only civilian side that has won the league title six times (seven times in total in their chequered history) ever since Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini’s predominantly youthful Mhlambanyatsi Rovers shocked all and sundry when they lifted the league crown in the 2003-2004 season. In the last 18 years, the league title has been changed between Swallows and the three security forces, Royal Leopard, Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes, in that order.

Before the 2019/2020 season was cancelled with eight games remaining, the red and white glamour side looked the only side that could challenge Young Buffaloes for the Holy Grail of Eswatini football. This seems to be the case even this season. But it is tough-as-teak clashes against plucky sides like Manzini Sea Birds that will test the ‘Beautiful Birds’ resolve for the league aspirations.

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