Home | Sports | TAMBUTI WIN 1ST GAME

TAMBUTI WIN 1ST GAME

08/02/2022 08:16:00 Ntokozo Magongo

Font size:

MBABANE – It is a week that Mbabane Highlanders tightened their grip at the top of the table.

They now need one win to take home the E200 000 MTN Premier League first round incentive. They lead the nearest challengers, Royal Leopard, with seven points and they will face each other in the last game of the first round. Under week 14, Denver Sundowns also pulled out another surprise as they shocked Moneni Pirates 3-1 in the Manzini mini-derby played at Mavuso Sports Centre with Mike Dombo being the best player on the day and he featured in our team of the week, while Tambuti FC finally won their first game of the season.

Star player of the week:

Mike Dombo (Sundowns)
The Congolese international netted a brace in Sundowns’ fifth win of an inconsistent season. His influence in the Sundowns camp is immeasurable. He has already scored six of the 14 goals ‘Basop IKappa Kappa’ have scored this season.

Magagula brothers:

Did you know that Royal Leopard midfielder Junior Magagula has a young brother at Moneni Pirates? Yes it is true; his young brother, Mbongeni, plays for the ‘Buccaneers’ and he was part of the team that lost 1-3 to Denver Sundowns at Mavuso Sports Centre during the MTN Premier League. The duo hail from Ludzeludze, Matsapha and it shows that the Magagula family produced football stars.

Prince of Wales getting worse:

It is no secret that the Prince of Wales Sports Ground does not have the capacity to stage games of MTN Premier League magnitude. The venue is water-logged and it was worse on Sunday when Vovovo FC hosted Tambankulu Callies in the 2-all draw. When one walks around the field, it’s just water everywhere and they have even opened some canals to channel the water. It’s high time the premier league consider other venues other than the Prince of Wales Sports Ground, especially during this rainy season. We are aware that there are venue challenges, but it’s not good to see the teams battling it out in the mud including the match officials, especially the assistants.

Dombo highlights team of the week:

It was a sensational performance by the Denver Sundown forward as he inspired his team to a 3-1 victory over Moneni Pirates after netting a brace. This was not just a game, but a mini-derby between the two sides and Dombo deserves to be part of the team of the week for the first time this season. He netted a brace that took his tally to six goals.

Fans creative:

Fans are now showing great creativity during the MTN Premier League games. On Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre, you would swear some Mbabane Highlanders fans had brought pots to cook. As they were playing against Milling Hot Spurs that have a relationship with Swazi Mills, they brought along products including cooking oil, mealie mealie, soup, maize and even a maize plant. A Young Buffaloes supporter decided to wear a school uniform that has her team’s colours. Well done to the fans that are bringing colour to the stadiums.

That ‘Shalulile’ celebration:

Denver Sundowns forward Mike Dombo has copied Mamelodi Sundowns striker Peter Shalulile’s exuberant goal celebrations as he scored a brace in the 3-1 win over Moneni Pirates on Sunday during the MTN Premier League game played at Mavuso Sports centre. He deserves to do one of the best strikers’ celebrations as he was also on fire during the match.

COME TO THINK OF IT:

*Finally, Tambuti recorded their first win of the season after 14 matches. They beat Malanti Chiefs 1-0. Unfortunately, that win did not move them away from the bottom of the log.
*It is only Royal Leopard that can now challenge Mbabane Highlanders for the E200 000 first round carrot as they have two pending matches and one against Highlanders before the first round ends.
*Manzini Wanderers have gone five games without a win since they beat Denver Sundowns 2-0 on January 22. Draws against Moneni Pirates, Tambankulu Callies and Green Mamba while recorded loses against Tinyosi and Mbabane Swallows.
*Highlanders striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa might not have scored in the 2-0 win over Milling Hot Spurs but he still remains five goals clear on the goalscorer’s chart.