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HOW LEOPARD CLAWED THEIR WAY TO E200K ‘CARROT’ GLORY

04/03/2022 08:15:00 Lwazi Dlamini

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MBABANE – “I can’t believe it. I can’t believe. Football. Bloody hell!”

The game’s best manager of his generation, Sir Alex Ferguson’s unforgettable quote after England’s Manchester United won the European Champions League in 1999 would aptly ring true on the sudden turn of events in the MTN Premier league 2021/2022 when Royal Leopard clawed their way back to clinch the E200 000 first round ‘carrot’’ right under the nose of Mbabane Highlanders.

IT IS THE STUFF OF LEGENDS

Having been on top of the log standings for close to three months, playing some aesthetically pleasing football and scoring a glut of goals, Highlanders needed just a draw to win their first round ’carrot’ for the first time since the 2015/16 season. They choked spectacularly to leave their fans in the close to 2 000 strong crowd in tears. The police side inspite of playing the last 35 minutes of the game one man down after defender Mancoba Maseko had been sent off for a crude tackle on Simphiwe Manana, held their nerves to knock Highlanders off their perch. The 21-year wait for a league crown continues unabated for the ‘Black Bull’ who now trail Leopard by two points on the half-way mark of the season.

Down at the bottom, it has been traumatic first half of the season for bottom-loggers Tambuti FC and perennial relegation fighters Malanti Chiefs. Unfashionable Tambankulu Callies and Vovovo FC have punched above their weight this season while Swallows had their worst start to a season in over two decades. 2018/2019 league champions Green Mamba have been floundering like blind mice in midtable whole Manzini Wanderers have been blowing hot and cold all season. In a season that has been as exciting as much as it has been punctuated by controversial events, LWAZI DLAMINI gives us a review of the league first round as he best know how.

BIGGEST WIN OF THE ROUND

28/12/2021: Mayaluka Stadium - Tambuti 0 R. Leopard 5 (Barry Steenkamp 25th, Junior Magagula 70th, Bongani Ndzimandze 82nd, Wandile Simelane 85th, 90+2)

Unsurprisingly, the first round champions, Royal Leopard, also added another feather in their cap in having had the biggest win of the season. On December 28 at Mayaluka Stadium, Edwin Matsebula’s boys pulverised listless Tambuti FC 5-0 in merciless fashion. Even forgotten midfielder, Bongani Ndzimandze was on the score-sheet!

MOST SHOCKING RESULT

29/12/21 (Wednesday): Tambankulu Stadium - T. Callies 4 (Neliso Myeni 30sec, Mazwi Sihlongonyane 58th, Banele Ndlangamandla 63rd, Khayalethu Mndzebele 81st) M. Swallows 2 (Sifiso Mabila 15th, Sizolwethu Shabalala 90+2)

You had to be at Tambankulu Stadium on a summer afternoon of December 29, 2021 to believe your eyes were not playing tricks on you. Mbabane Swallows, the glamour side, put to the sword by modest Tambankulu Callies who have been punching above their weight all season. This game was the beginning of the end for Ghanaian mentor Christopher Ennin’s reign at the club.

CONTROVERSIAL MOMENTS

The Mbabane Big Derby penalty: Mbabane Highlanders striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s 71st winning penalty against traditional rivals Swallows at packed-to-the-rafters Mavuso Sports Centre on January 23 was highly debatable. Many Swallows fans felt he had taken a dive from a feather-dust touch by defender Blandja Baba-Seidou, though television replays did show he upended him. In the end, without the benefit of a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) the penalty was awarded by referee Thulani Sibandze and ‘Sikhali’ rose up to convert sublimely.
Tambuti FC/Tinyosi clash called off due to clash of kits: On January 22, at KaLanga Technical Centre, a clash between Tambuti FC and Tinyosi FC had to be called off due to clash of kits, making a mockery of our premier league football. In the end, Tinyosi FC were rightly awarded three points and three goals by the Disciplinary Committee and Tambuti FC were fined E20 000. What a shame!

The ever-revolving coaching exit door: Ten coaches were shown the exit door in the first round alone! This is a huge turn-over for a 16-team league in just 15 games played. Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, Mduduzi Nyama, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe, Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini (who reportedly stepped down), Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya, Big Boy Mawiwi, Terasayi Changara, Tavaka Gumbo, Christopher Ennin have all parted ways with their respective teams this season. It’s an unpleasant record even by our own shocking standards!

GOAL OF THE FIRST ROUND

There were many contenders for the ‘goal of the first round’ but hats off to ‘Sikhali’s trademark header on November 14, 2021 at Mavuso Sports Centre against Manzini Wanderers. In a replica of the league-winning goal he scored for Mbabane Swallows against the self-same Wanderers on May 5, 2013, left back Sanele Mkhweli whipped a gift-wrapped cross, ‘Sikhali’ rose like a humming bird to nod home almost in mid-air in the 67th minute. It cancelled Wanderers Phathizwe Mabuza’s 63rd minute goal.

BEST GAME OF THE SEASON

04/12/21: (Saturday): King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium - Green Mamba 2 (Sifiso Mdluli 53rd, Mxolisi Mkhontfo 88th) M. Highlanders 4 (Lindokuhle Fakudze 19th, Kenneth Moloto 36th, Tony Machacha 59th, 62nd)
Forget the Big Mbabane derby on January 23 or the enthralling Manzini Wanderers 3-2 win over Vovovo FC at the Prince of Wales sports ground on December 28, it was Mbabane Highlanders 4-2 massacre of Green Mamba at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on December 4, 2021 that takes the cake as the best game of the season. Highlanders, on the day, were simply unstoppable with attacking verve that would have beaten any team on the day. Green Mamba did not lie down and allowed them to trample all over them, they fashioned some chances of their own but found the ‘Black Bull’ on a raging mood. Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha’s 62nd minute goal can be rightly termed as the best team goal of the season as the move to the goal involved more than five players.

SAVE OF THE FIRST ROUND

Mbabane Highlanders goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala’s first-half save from a Felix Badenhorst in the big derby might have gone on to win him the ‘Player of the Month’ for January, but Royal Leopard’s goalminder Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini’s brave save to deny Philane Mkhontfo from three yards out in the 49th minute on Wednesday ranks as the ‘best save of the first round’ any day! What a match-defining save!

1ST ROUND SHARP SHOOTER

Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa (Mbabane Highlanders): 14 goals in 15 games is testimony of the goal-scoring prowess of the national team, Sihlangu marksman. He might not have scored in Highlanders last two games against Milling Hot Spurs and Royal Leopard, having netted a brace against Tambuti, but there is no doubt about the quality he possesses. He would be hoping to get back on the score sheet when the second round kicks-off this weekend against Manzini Wanderers tomorrow at Mavuso Sports Centre.

STAR PLAYER of the ROUND

Sifiso ‘Junior’ Magagula (Royal Leopard): Shockingly overlooked for both Player of the Month and Player of the year awards last season, the former Moneni Pirates midfield dynamo has not been deterred. He is a walking football brain box, contributing nine goals already this season. Last season he netted 12 goals and his sterling performance in the first round E200 000 incentive decider on Wednesday proved he will once again lead from the front in Leopard’s quest to defend the league crown.

FLOPS (PLAYERS)

Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini (Royal Leopard): That last season’s Player of the Year, ‘Mzoro’ has not scored a single goal this season says it all about his performance. He even started the first round league decider against Highlanders on the bench on Wednesday. One season wonder? Perhaps not, he is a vital cog in Leopard’s mean-machine but he has not replicated the same performance he dished out in the first half of last season. Felisberto Bocuane (Malanti Chiefs): The Mozambican forward was the go-to-guy for goals at Malanti Chiefs last season but he has been a pale shadow of himself with only two forgettable goals this season against Leopard in the 2-5 loss on November 21, 2021 and against Tinyosi in a 1-2 defeat on December 11, 2021.

Sandile Hlatjwako (Swallows): The lanky striker is always on the starting eleven at Swalows but he has scored a measly two goals this season. This is a poor return from one of the known top strikers in the country who used to go into double digits in his hey days. Phiwa Dlamini (Buffaloes): Last season’s record breaking feat of 23 goals seems to be improbably now as Yours Truly being the next Mr. Eswatini. The towering striker has scored just two goals this season! The first goal was the opener against Milling Hot spurs on December 5, 2021 in a 3-0 win at Tambankulu Stadium then the second goal he scored against Mbabane Swallows on February 13 in a 1-all draw at KaLanga Technical Centre. To his defence, his long layoff might have contributed to his subdued performances.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama (Wanderers): The former Tinyosi striker has been a revelation at Manzini Wanderers. Since he scored his first goal for the ‘Weslians’, the winner in stoppage time against Malanti Chiefs on November 27, 2021, he went on an impressive run which yielded five goals in the first round. However, he has not scored since the 2-0 win over Denver Sundowns on New Year’s Day at Mavuso Sports Centre. Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha (Highlanders): The South African diminutive striker has netted six goals for Highlanders, which include a brace against Green Mamba on December 3, 2021 and Tinyosi FC on New Year’s Day. Kwakhe Tfwala (Young Buffaloes): The left footed midfielder, son to former Sihlangu industrious midfielder Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mtsetfwa, is quickly establishing himself in the army side as a dependable player who also chips in with goals. He is one for future!
Mphumuzo Sangweni (Moneni Pirates): The twinkle-toed winger is a fan favourite at the Moneni Buccaneers with his silky ball skills and searing pace. Though sometimes, he overdoes it, he is a one player to watch this season.

Sibonelelo Mhlanga (Rangers): They call him ‘Maswidi’ for whatever reason but his performances for the Shiselweni-based outfit has been sweet as honey. Innocent Dlamini (Vovovo): The left footed midfielder is pulling the strings in the belly of the park for Vovovo FC. His neat finish against Mbabane Highlanders on January 16 at the Prince of Wales sports ground was full testimony of his big match temperament. Neliso Myeni (Callies): He is one of the most dependable players in the Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba owned outfit, chipping in with vital goals as they continue to punch above their weight this season. Neliswa Dlamini (Wanderers): He is one of the most underrated players in the league yet he is such a vital cog in Manzini Wanderers playing style.

Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze (Swallows): ‘FIFA’ might be part of the inconsistent Swallows side but he has been slowly re-discovering the form that took him to South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL). He has scored three goals this season, more than some foreign strikers at Swallows. Phew! Njabulo Tfwala (Green Mamba): He has been the only pearly in a heap of dung that has been the ‘Correctional Services’ side this season. His four goals contribution from a midfield position is commendable. Muzi Tsabedze (Sea Birds): The Manzini Sea Birds talisman is on 10 goals already this season with last goal coming in the 1-2 loss to Green Mamba. All eyes will be on him on whether he can push Highlanders striker ‘Sikhali’ all the way in the race for the Golden Boot Award. Mike Dombo (Sundowns): One man’s poison can be another man’s meat. Dumped by Manzini Wanderers, Mike Dombo is re-discovering his form at Denver Sundowns. He is Sundowns’ leading scorer with five goals under his belt.

WORST TEAM (S)

Tambuti FC: The sugar-belt side has struggled to regain the form that made them a hard nut to crack in previous seasons. This is season they have been softer-than-a-marshmallow. 29 goals conceded while scoring only 11 means they have a negative 18 goal difference. A measly nine points after two wins and three draws is pure relegation form in any of the country’s two official languages! Malanti Chiefs: The only difference with the Malanti Chiefs of last season at this stage is that this one has at least won two games. Last season Malanti had only won one game against Manzini wanderers on April 21. But the script is still the same – another prolonged dance with demotion for the third season in a row. Will they survive if four teams go down? Your guess is as good as mine!

QUOTE OF THE ROUND

“The reason I brought Mosala here was due to the fact that it looked like we had rented the former coach,” said Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe when announcing the parting of ways with coach Ernest Mavuso, who had led Highlanders to nine games without a defeat and bringing in Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala just ahead of the Mbabane Derby on January 23 which Highlanders went on to win.