MBABANE – He has returned to the training pitch, but Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati’s involvement in Sunday’s Mbabane Derby remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The influential Swallows midfielder is locked in a race against time to prove his fitness for a fixture in which he traditionally excels. Vilakati has been sidelined since sustaining a shoulder injury during a Week 20 clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs at Somhlolo National Stadium, subsequently missing seven league matches for Caleb ‘No Nonsense’ Ngwenya’s side.
While the ‘derby specialist’ joined squad training yesterday to bolster hopes among the Swallows faithful, his coach remains cautious. Vilakati has a reputation for rising to the occasion regardless of form; he netted the solitary winner and claimed Man of the Match honours in the previous derby, following another strike against Highlanders in the 2024/25 season.
“We are waiting for the medical report,” Ngwenya said yesterday. “Only then can we decide under what conditions, if any, he can play. The doctors were expected yesterday, but we now anticipate their arrival today.”
The Swallows gaffer also confirmed that full-back Phumalini ‘Doing’ Matsebula faces a late fitness test after picking up a knock against Manzini Sea Birds.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Highlanders have received a significant boost with the news that S’phiwe Cele has been declared fully fit. The ‘nimble-footed’ attacker has recovered from a minor injury, according to Public Relations Officer (PRO) Thabiso ‘Touch’ Manyatsi.
However, the news is less positive regarding experienced defender Vusimuzi Vilakati, who will miss the derby as he continues his recovery from a long-term knee problem. He is joined on the sidelines by the injured Bongumusa Fakudze and the suspended Wandile Sacolo.
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Nimble-footed Sphiwe Cele returns to full fitness after shaking off a minor knock. (Pic: Nimrod Hlophe)