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DERAILED MTN PREMIER LEAGUE GOES ON

24/05/2022 14:35:00 Ntokozo Magongo

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MBABANE – It’s going down to the wire in the MTN Premier League, as Week 29 goes underway today at eight venues across the country.

It is the last fixture before the curtain falls. The battle for the tittle is still on within the top four teams being Royal Leopard, Mbabane Highlanders, Mbabane Swallows and Young Buffaloes at the top, while five teams are fighting for survival.

relegated

These are Denver Sundowns, Milling Hot Spurs, Rangers, Tambuti and Tinyosi with Malanti Chiefs already relegated to the National First Division League. Today’s fixtures go on after a battle for national team, Sihlangu players, who were at camp only to be released yesterday.

Revenge mission for Leopard

Their eyes are not only glued to the title, but they are also seeking revenge against their hoodoo side, Manzini Wanderers. The last time the two sides clashed, they played a goalless draw on December 7, 2021. If Leopard are to defend their title, the game today is a must-win. It is in the hands of the police side to lose the trophy. If they win their two remaining games against Wanderers and Green Mamba, they will be crowned champions and off they go to the CAF Champions League. The police ensemble is at the top of the table with 65 points and closely challenged by Mbabane Highlanders, who have 63 points with two games remaining.

crucial

Their preparations ahead of the crucial game have been thrown into jeopardy as seven of their players had not been part of the team since last Thursday. The players they were without are goalkeeper Phephisani Msibi, Mlamuli Msibi, Sikhumbuzo Magagula, Machawe Dlamini, Mzwandile Mabelesa, Sifiso Matse and Junior Magagula. The players were still with Sihlangu yesterday afternoon. Leopard has won five games from five. Meanwhile, Manzini Wanderers will not be a walk in the park as they are one side which troubles Leopard, despite their form.

missed

The maroon and white outfit have only missed one of their players who is with Sihlangu in Neliso Dlamini, otherwise they had been together while preparing for the match. Wanderers celebrated a 3-0 victory over Tinyosi which guaranteed them safety from relegation. They are now pushing to finish in a better position and hopefully be part of the top six that will be receiving prizes at the end of the season.

G. Mamba stand in ‘Bull’s way

Mbabane Highlanders gave the best performance in the first round fixture against the Correctional Service side, Green Mamba, when they cruised to a 4-2 victory in a highly contested match played at Mavuso Sports Centre. ‘The Bull’ was still under the guidance of now Green Mamba Coach Ernest Mavuso, who will be seeking revenge after he was shown the exit door under unclear circumstances.

hoping

Highlanders are hoping to keep up with Royal Leopard with a victory today. They have gone seven games without a defeat; two draws and five wins under South African mentor Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala who took over from Mavuso. Highlanders have been without the quartet of their deadly striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, defender Peter Dlamini, Philani Mkhontfo and goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, who are part of the national team that is at camp.

fight

Meanwhile, Green Mamba, despite having little to fight for, are still eager to go up in the table and settle for a prize money position. They haven’t been greatly affected by the Sihlangu camp, as they had only one player at the camp in Khetho Mkhontfo. Green Mamba are ninth and if they win, they can secure the sixth spot.

‘Birds’ in 16 games unbeaten run

There is still a lot that Mbabane Swallows are fighting for in the MTN Premier League. Despite trailing by four points behind leaders, Royal Leopard, there is still the second spot in the log that will take a club to the CAF Confederation Cup. Playing in the Confederations of African Football (CAF) inter club tournaments has always been Swallows’ dream. Since the turn of the second round, Mbabane Swallows have been on fire and have not lost a match after 16 games. A victory for ‘Birds’ will see them jump to second place if Mbabane Highlanders fail to win against Green Mamba.

Swallows have also been propelled by the return of veteran player Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, who was crowned the best in the month of April after a sterling performance for Swallows. Swallows have been missing goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela and Leon Manyisa going to this game, as the pair are part of the national team Sihlangu that is in camp. The last time the two sides clached, Swallows won 2-1. Manzini Sea Birds, who lost their steam in the second round, are seventh on the log and they can still make it to the prize position, but they will have to win.

Can Milling Hot Spurs stop Buffaloes’ ‘Saviola’?

He seems unstoppable. That is Young Buffaloes’ midfielder Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze who is currently leading the top goal scorers’ chart with 25 goals. He netted a brace in the 5-0 win over Malanti Chiefs in their last encounter. Despite being on form, he is likely to miss the match as he is part of the national team, Sihlangu, who were not released by yesterday afternoon.
Buffaloes have slim chances of taking the title home, but have a big chance of making it to the second spot for the CAF Confederation Cup slot. They are fourth on the log, trailing by five points from leaders Royal Leopard.

Buffaloes are also without seven players in ‘Saviola’, Lindo Mkhonta, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Siboniso Mamba, Kwakhe Thwala, Siboniso Ngwenya and Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba. Milling Hot Spurs on the other hand are not safe from the axe and they will have to fight for points to survive as they are fifth from the bottom.