Shameful exit in the title race for ‘Black Bull’
. . . As Nsingizini Hotspurs make a grand entry into the top four, M. Pirates, and D. Sundowns are in trouble
CAPITAL city giants Mbabane Highlanders were over the weekend the worst losing team, not only that but also officially bowed out of the exhilarating MTN Premier League title race.
Who’s left in the race? At the bottom of the table, there were vital wins for Ezulwini United and Manzini Wanderers, and it was worse for Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns. Here’s our weekend games review;
THE TITLE RACE:
It continues with the top five teams in a dog-eat-dog race as only five points separate the leaders and fourth and fifth-placed Nsingizini Hotspurs and Royal Leopard, who both have 38 points. The leaders, Mbabane Swallows, are still two points clear of defending champions Green Mamba and thirdplaced Young Buffaloes on 43 points. Four games remain before the champions are crowned in a race that looks set to go down to the wire just like the season when Green Mamba won it on the final matchday.
TOP-THE-TABLE GAMES RESULTS: - Illovo vs. Mbabane Swallows:
The latter came back 1-0 winners away in Big Bend against Illovo to retain their two-point lead at the summit for two weeks running. Can they hold on to the end as tough ties are still to be played? It’s a wait-and-see.
- Green Mamba vs. R. Leopard:
It was yet another security forces derby and an opportunity for Green Mamba to avenge their first 2-0 defeat by Leopard. That they did with two first-half goals amid going a goal down. It was 2-1 in favour of Green Mamba and a top-four exit for Leopard who dropped to fifth.
- Y.Buffaloes vs. Mbabane Highlanders:
Humiliation it was for the black and white ensemble, Mbabane Highlanders who have suffered an aggregate 9-1 loss to Buffaloes this season. They were ambushed 5-0 in the first round before the past weekend’s 4-1 drubbing under new coach Milton Dlamini, who has been in charge of three games with just one win. His side is now of the race, and even the top four may prove tough if they stick to the poor form displayed against Buffaloes.
CHANGES IN TOP 4 STANDINGS:
What a way to gatecrash the top four! It was all in grand style for Shiselweni and ambitious minnows, Nsingizini Hotspurs who are certainly onto something good as an elite side.
They turned their eyes at the King Sobhuza II Stadium once again when they arrived on a posh red coach. Even social media went abuzz about it, with some fans of a struggling renowned side failing to hide their admiration to follow then Manzini Wanderers ardent supporter Sidumo Ngwenya by joining Insingizi Yezulu. The latter has style.
They also have a valid push for their first league title in two seasons in the elite front. They now sit in position four, level on 38 points with Royal Leopard just under them. They are the dark horses here and in with a good chance as they have yet to play some of the challenges. They have beaten the big guns before and continue to look as solid a team.
TOP FIVE NEXT ATTRACTIONS: M. Swallows vs. Manzini Sea Birds (H)
- It’s always been tough for Swallows, but they always came out victors. Sea Birds are not at their best but cannot be written off, especially because they also need the points to be assured relegation safety.
Green Mamba vs. Ezulwini United (H)
- It looks like an easy one for Green Mamba if their 4-0 first-round win is anything to go by. Besides, winning 3-2 against Young Buffaloes and 2-1 against Royal Leopard in consecutive weekends tells you Green Mamba are in devastating form. Yes, football can kill you as results can be stunning, and Ezulwini United have also had some improvements in their quest to cheat relegation. It is looking good after their 1-0 win against the basement side Denver Sundowns amid the latter’s rich history, including playing in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) inter-club tournaments.
Y. Buffaloes vs. Manzini Wanderers (A)
- Coming from a 4-1 win against a big team like Mbabane Highlanders, Buffaloes are in the mood to slay yet another of the faltering giant clubs in Manzini Wanderers who eased their relegation woes with a 3-1 win against Manzini Sea Birds last Wednesday. Surely, a point, if not the maximum, is what Wanderers will be looking for against the uncompromising Buffaloes. The latter are looking for no less than three points as that gives them a chance to land at the summit once more depending on other results. Wanderers lost 2-0 in the reverse fixture.
Nsingizini Hotspurs vs. Illovo (H)
- A must-win it is for Nsingizini Hotspurs. It is no easy tie as Illovo have shown what they can do – these two played a goalless draw last October but Insingizi now need the maximum points as the second spot is where they can land if other results go their way. A win ahead of facing Green Mamba in what could decide each side’s fate is all they need or their hopes could take a huge dive.
Royal Leopard vs. Moneni Pirates (H)
- It’s a make or break for Royal Leopard, just like it is for their fellow title chasers and of course, Moneni Pirates who are in a life-or-death situation at the bottom part of the standings. Leopard must stay in the title race or bow out. Pirates must win to keep their survival hopes alive, or they will have to try in their last three fixtures as all the bottom six teams are not safe yet.
THE RELEGATION BATTLE:
Nyanga gets a crucial win for the Wanderers
Manzini Wanderers: Veteran coach Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe must be the ‘messiah’ for the hub giants once again as he was last season with last-gasp winners to cheat relegation. Still not safe yet, but a positive 3-1 win was recorded last Wednesday against Manzini Sea Birds to slightly ease their relegation woes. However, they are just two points away from the drop zone, with four games to fight on, including against Mbabane Highlanders and Young Buffaloes.
Moneni Pirates – The Sea Robbers of Moneni got a point over the weekend but still find themselves in the relegation cesspit. A 1-1 draw with Madlenya left them on 18 points at the second bottom of the table, just two below Manzini Wanderers and three above Denver Sundowns.
Denver Sundowns: Nothing seems to be going their way. They play good football without a doubt, but they lack goals. If you can not score, then relegation is inevitable at this juncture. Sundowns are one of the country’s biggest sides, just like Moneni, but look set to go down.
STAR (S) OF THE WEEK: Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa
– He was once again on target and this time, it was the winner for his team, Green Mamba against security forces derby rivals Royal Leopard. It was not a winner but his second goal in two consecutive matches and his 17th in the league. He looks bound to add to his Ingwenyama Cup 2024 Top Goalscorer Award as he also goes for yet another gold. He already has the Trade Fair Cup and Ingwenyama Cup titles, both won at Mbabane Swallows’ expense.
Andile Mbingo – In the rout of Mbabane Highlanders, Andile Mbingo, a young and spirited forward for Young Buffaloes, was on a brace as they romped to a resounding 4-1 win.
Alvin Shabashie – The Nsingizini Hotspurs forward scored the lone goal of the match to keep his team in the title race, while they also gate-crashed the top four with the 1-0 win over Rangers.
Ayanda Gadlela – The Mbabane Swallows winger has been in good form recently. He was in the thick of things away at Mayaluka Stadium as he secured three points for his team with his strike to keep them at the summit for the second week running.
EXPERT OPINION:
Rodney ‘Stumbo’ Charles (Ex-elite coach and national team Sihlangu legend)
“It’s an interesting title race, but looking at it, I think it’s between Green Mamba and Swallows. Green Mamba are the favourites, while Nsingizini Hotspurs are the dark horses watching the race unfold, knowing they have nothing to lose as compared to their rivals.