MBABANE - It will be a true test of character for the kingdom’s struggling traditional giants.
This is the reality facing the ‘big three’; bottom-of-the-log Manzini Wanderers, mid-table dwellers Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows, who currently round out the MTN Premier League top eight.
The trio, alongside ailing eight-time league winners Royal Leopard, faces a challenge of three consecutive high-stake fixtures starting this weekend.
For the hub giants, Wanderers, the campaign to vacate the foot of the table begins with a clash against Moneni Pirates tomorrow. Their following fixture pits them against ‘Bull’.
With only the league to focus on, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe’s side will then face a scary encounter against Young Buffaloes who recently demolished them 4-0. Only after this triple threat, they will shift focus to the league’s smaller clubs, many of whom have earned the status of giants slayers.
The situation is also arguably tougher for the capital city duo, who sit just four points above the relegation zone while simultaneously eyeing the Ingwenyama Cup glory this season.
‘Bull’, currently ninth in the standings, face a hurdle today against log leaders and defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs. Following that, they meet a ‘Weslians’ who held them to a 2-2 draw in the first round, before a date with the Correctional Services outfit, Green Mamba.
The Ernest Mavuso’s side will have to balance these league commitments against the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) competition which has paused after the last 32 round. The last 16 draw will be conducted on Monday.
On the other hand, ‘Birds’ are under similar pressure. They must navigate a difficult league run while chasing a fourth Ingwenyama Cup title. Their next two league outings are against security forces opponents Green Mamba and Royal Leopard, before capping off a harsh schedule against Nsingizini.
It is also worth noting that Edwin Matsebula’s ‘Ingwe’ face a demanding run of fixtures as they look to defend the Ingwenyama Cup. Leopard are enduring a poor run of form this season, which currently sees them languishing outside of the top eight.
Mbabane Highlanders defender Delisa Gama. (Pic:Melusi Mkhabela)