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G. MAMBA LEAVE THEM GREEN WITH ENVY

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MBABANE – The curtain finally fell on what can be dubbed a short 2022/23 MTN Premier League season.

Green Mamba are the undisputed champions after surviving nerve-wrecking title race with Young Buffaloes. The Correctional Services side claimed their third league title after 36 years, since they were formed, after narrowly beating defending champions Royal Leopard. The Ernest Mavuso-led side first laid their hands on the ‘Holy grail’ of local football in the 2010/11 season and the second one was in 2018/19 campaign. It was not a stroll in the park for Inyoka Eluhlazane en route to the podium as they faced fierce competition from Buffaloes, who were three points short of winning the league on head-to head, had Green Mamba suffered a loss against Leopard.

On another note, Tambankulu Callies and rookies Seven Dreams endured a disastrous season, leading to them being relegated to the MTN National First Division (NFD). The final games of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League season saw 19 goals scored, with Buffaloes winger Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula contributing three as the army side hit four past MTN NFD-bound Tambankulu Callies on Sunday at Tambankulu Stadium. Here are the things we noted in some of the league games we covered on the final day of the gruelling campaign.

EBC STALL IN MHLUME
The Elections and Boundaries Commission (EBC) took full advantage of the MTN Premier League grand closing to pitch a stall by the entrance of Nsukuwansuku Stadium to register those interested to partake in the upcoming 2023 National Elections.

‘FREE ENTRY’ AT NSUKUWANSUKU
The owners of the Nsukuwansuku Stadium in Mhlume should do something about the opening in one of the sides of the venue as some fans were seen gaining entry into the stadium through it. This is not good for the teams as they lose a fortune in terms of gate collections. This was before the game between champions Green Mamba and Royal Leopard, which the former won 2-1.

GREEN MAMBA, BUFFS CONVOY
A convoy of army and Correctional Services vehicles carrying ‘supporters’ were spotted along the Maphiveni-Mhlume main road after the Green Mamba versus Royal Leopard and Tambankulu Callies and Young Buffaloes games which were played at Nsukuwansuku in Mhlume and Tambankulu Stadium, respectively.

‘SIKHALI’ SEALS IT WITH A KISS
Green Mamba marksman Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa was seen kissing his wife Swane after helping his team win the 2022/23 MTN Premier League. This was after his two assists were enough to claim the crown. He sealed winning the crown with a kiss from Swane.

‘SEA ROBBERS’ FROM ENGLAND
Moneni Pirates attracted football fans all the way from England as Luke Gallie was spotted watching the ‘Sea Robbers’ from Moneni against Seven Dreams with his wife Joyce.

‘BULL’ FANS BRING ‘COFFIN’
Some Mbabane Highlanders fans were seen carrying a makeshift coffin as another was seen pushing Manzini Wanderers Super Fan Sidumo Ngwenya to his ‘resting place’. This was during the league game between Highlanders and Wanderers, which was played at the Mavuso Sports Centre.

WANDERERS FAN BRINGS DUSTBIN
A Manzini Wanderers supporter was seen carrying a huge yellow container and a sign written ‘Do not Park’ hanging from his neck. We assumed that he wanted to baptise Highlanders. Unfortunately for him, it was his team which got a baptism with fire from the black and white capital city giants, as they won the match 3-0.

G. MAMBA PLAYERS, COACH TOSSED
Green Mamba supporters could not contain themselves at the sound of the final whistle, which confirmed that their team as the 2022/23 MTN Premier League champions. They invaded the pitch and tossed the players and Coach Ernest Mavuso in the air. They did not know that they were putting the team in trouble as the MTN Premier League Rules frown on such conduct.

‘XAVI’ FAN FAVOURITE
The rejuvenated former national team Sihlangu and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) AS Vita winger Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo was a favourite among the supporters as they took pictures with him after Green Mamba were crowned the champions.

COACH OF THE WEEK:
Ernest Mavuso (G. Mamba)
The former Mbabane Highlanders gaffer deserves this gong, as he has helped the Correctional side claim their third league title after four years. Mavuso, who has completed a rare double against Leopard, has featured in the Coach of the Week on numerous occasions.

STAR PLAYER OF THE WEEK:
Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula (Y. Buffaloes)
The attacking Young Buffaloes player was in devastating form as he scored a hat-trick against Tambankulu Callies; however his goals were not enough to help his team win the league.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:
1. Xolani Gama         (G. Mamba)
2. Mcolisi Manana         (G. Mamba)
3. Mlamuli Msibi         (R. Leopard)
4. Mandla Palma         (M. Highlanders)
5. Banele Dlamini         (G. Mamba)
6. Kwakhe Tfwala         (M. Swallows)
7. Siyabonga Mkhonto     (M. Highlanders)
8. Njabulo Ndlovu         (G. Mamba)
9. Sabelo Ndzinisa     (G. Mamba)
10. Philane Mkhonto     (M. Highlanders)
11. Bongwa Matsebula     (Y. Buffaloes)
(Thank you for the amazing journey.  Until next season dear reader. Your comments are most welcome at machaweherofakudze27@gmail.com or sports@times.co.sz)

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