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‘BIRDS’, LEOPARD RENEW RIVALRY IN MUST-WIN CLASH

10/12/2022 06:30:00 Sanele Jele

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MBABANE – It’s survival of the fittest clash – the rivalry and competition between these two teams comes way back when they shared titles at least until the 2017/18 season.

The fixture could not have come at a better time, with Mbabane Swallows feeling they can go all the way this season to win the title, while Royal Leopard, last season defending champions, may be having some bad days in the office but they still play some good football and have all the potential. They know that they are not out, in as far as the title race is concerned so they will keep pushing for better results where they can until they can be consistent.

Eight points out of a possible 24 and sit on an improved position eight after their 2-0 win over Moneni Pirates on Wednesday. Swallows on the other hand are in the race for the first round incentive of E 100 000 won by the team that finishes at the summit of the standings. The Beautiful Birds of Mbabane are on position four and five points behind Leopard who are even eight points behind leaders Young Buffaloes.

Edged

Swallows won the first round clash 3-2 last season, before Leopard edged them 1-0 in the second round. It will also be one match that Swallows will look to redeem themselves after being scarred by rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs with a 2-1 margin last weekend. Leopard had also been stunned by rookies Madlenya with a 1-0 defeat last weekend before the mid-week win. The loss to Madlenya was Leopard’s fourth in eight games, while Swallows have lost just once in 25 games, stretching to last season but have played eight this season so far.

While Leopard are aiming to win and improve in the standings, Swallows can smell the second spot depending on the fixtures involving the top six teams. Going into this set-to-thrill encounter, big names like Leopard’s midfielders Junior Magagula, Fanelo Tsabedze and the latter’s twin brother Lungelo Tsabedze will be essential if they bring their fire to this one. Swallows on the other hand have stars like November Player of the Month, Felix Badenhorst, Bashir Mutanda and Nhlanhla Ngwenya.