SIGWACA HOUSE, MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders Coach Ernest Mavuso is ‘understandably concerned’ about Manzini Wanderers’ miserable run of form just days before their massive clash this Sunday.
The experienced gaffer, formerly an award-winning coach at Green Mamba, made his remarks during the MTN Premier League pre-match briefing held at Sigwaca House in Mbabane yesterday. The two giants are set to meet at the Mavuso Sports Centre for a hotly anticipated ‘Y’ello Sunday’ double-header.
The clash between Mbabane Swallows and Royal Leopard will serve as the ‘curtain-raiser’ at 2pm, with the main event between ‘Inkunzi’emnyama’ and the ‘Weslians’ kicking off at 4:30pm.
“The poor performance of Manzini Wanderers is giving us sleepless nights,” Mavuso admitted. “We know that they have a new coach, but we will align our preparations with his style of play.”
He confirmed that Highlanders’ preparations are progressing well and extended an invitation to all football supporters to ‘fill the Mavuso Sports Centre’ as they are guaranteed ‘top-shelf football’.
The former Moneni Pirates mentor could not resist a jibe at his opposite number: “I would like to ask Coach Gcina to come to the match well-prepared psychologically and should counsel himself, as we are definitely going to win this match.”
Mavuso’s counterpart, the newly-unveiled Wanderers Head Coach Gcina Dlamini, insisted that despite the recent lack of positive results, they plan to use the match against Highlanders to record their first win of the season.
“I met the boys this morning (yesterday) and I was surprised to note that the morale within the team is high,” Dlamini claimed. “I have a 90 per cent chance of winning this match.”
The former Ubombo Sugar coach, who recently parted ways with his previous team by mutual consent, revealed that while the management committee (MC) has mandated him to finish in the top eight, he is personally aiming for sixth position.
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Newly unveiled Manzini Wanderers Head Coach Gcina Dlamini (L) and his counterpart at Mbabane Highlanders Ernest Mavuso after the pre-match briefing at Sigwaca House yesterday. (Pic: Machawe Fakudze)