MBABANE – You reap what you sow!
With six games to go, crowd-pullers Mbabane Highlanders and Moneni Pirates are officially out of the running for the E1.1 million MTN Premier League winner’s prize.
Even if both sides manage a perfect run in their final six fixtures, they will mathematically fail to surpass the 54-point tally currently held by league leaders, Nsingizini Hotspurs.
Moneni Pirates, currently sitting in eighth place with 35 points, can only reach a maximum of 53 points if they win their remaining matches.
Their run-in includes tough encounters against Green Mamba, Tabankulu Celtics, Amawele, Ubombo Sugar, Mbabane Swallows and Malanti Chiefs.
Highlanders, nicknamed ‘ The Black Bull’, occupy the ninth spot with 34 points.
A clean sweep in their remaining games would see them finish on 52 points. Their schedule remains daunting, with fixtures against Royal Leopard, Ubombo Sugar, Mbabane Swallows, Tabankulu Celtics, Young Buffaloes and Rangers.
It is worth noting that the ‘Sea Robbers’ finished last season in fifth place with 41 points, while Highlanders were eighth with 33. Last season’s title race went to the wire, with Nsingizini claiming the trophy on 60 points, just one ahead of runners-up Royal Leopard.
In fact, the entire bottom half of the table is now officially excluded from the top prize. The title race is now limited to those who can still catch the leaders: Manzini Sea Birds (seven points behind), Young Buffaloes (43 points), Rangers (37), Green Mamba, Mbabane Swallows and Royal Leopard (36).
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END OF THE ROAD: Mbabane Highlanders players and technical staff look dejected following a recent loss that resulted in ending their E1.1 million title hopes.