‘BUFFS’, LEOPARD RULE IN STORMY WEEKEND

MBABANE – While bad weather interrupted what was supposed to be another terrific weekend in the MTN Premier League, the few teams that were in action didn’t disappoint.

Log leaders Royal Leopard maintained their supremacy, as they made light work of new table-proppers  Tambuti with a comfortable 3-0 win. Elsewhere, a Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze-inspired Young Buffaloes to a quick comeback, from the past week’s setback against Green Mamba, to take Denver Sundowns to the cleaners. It does not get better than this.  Below are some of the past weekend’s memorable moments.

Thumbs-up to ‘Bull’ supporters
They could easily be voted as the league’s current best supporters. They always come in numbers and they cheer on their team from the first whistle to the last despite any challenges. That is non-other than Mbabane Highlanders supporters. Despite that there are sitting arrangement challenge at the KaLanga Technical Centre; they still manage to pack the venue. On Sunday, over 500 Highlanders supporters cascaded and were made to occupy the gravel stand and that did not deter their sprit. Other teams’ supporters have something to learn from Highlanders.

Mirror in game
There was drama as a Manzini Wanderers fan had to be stopped from invading Vovovo’s technical bench area. This is after it was alleged the Wanderers fan had seen a Vovovo official carrying a mirror at the technical area. The fan felt it was the reason they missed the penalty at half-time. Police officers’ intervention saved the day,as the squabble almost turned into a fight.

Dressing ROOM ‘too hot’ for Spurs
Milling Hot Spurs opted to use their technical bench instead of the dressing rooms during half time. When the referee Wandile Mamba blew the whistle for half-time, the side went into the tunnels only to return two minutes later. The players were seen going straight to their technical bench followed by the coach, Mawelela and the mentor was seen issuing instructions to his players. The rationale, was gathered,  had to do with supernatural beliefs.

Fans in tunnel to evade storm
Football fans had to run helter-skelter to avoid being injured by the hailstorm, that occurred on Sunday at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium during the MTN Premier League game between Mbabane Swallows and Tambankulu Callies. Some fans had to seek cover from cars, but those who had no cars decided to use the tunnels as shelter. The game was eventually stopped two minutes into the second half with Swallows leading 2-0.

Hail ‘too big’ for mini tractor
An Eswatini Football Association (EFA) mini-tractor was brought to clear the hail but it failed. It made several attempts, which were futile. Some Mbabane Swallows officials tried to use the stretcher for carrying injured players, but their efforts were also in vain. The game was eventually stopped and will be played tomorrow at the same venue.

‘Selfies’ in hail
Mbabane Swallows officials including assistant coach and physical trainer Siyabonga Bhembe took time to pose for the camera on the hailstones covered King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Sunday after it passed through Nhlangano Town. This was during an MTN Premier League match between Mbabane Swallows and Tambankulu Callies which was aborted two minutes into the second half.

Up-side-down substitution board
Vuyolwethu Khoza, who was forth official in the Royal Leopard and Tambuti clash displayed a lack of concentration when he flashed a substitution board with the numbers upside-down.
This must be a learning curve for local referees who have to exercise professionalism at all times to avoid humiliating themselves while carrying out their duties.

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