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TODAY MADLENYA VS NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS AT MAYALUKA STADIUM, 3PM
MBABANE – Six points out of a possible nine for the rookies, Madlenya, is a positive start without a doubt.
This means they have won two including their debut day match against faltering giants Manzini Wanderers.
That was a 1-0 win for the rookies from the Lubombo region. This afternoon they face last season’s National First Division (NFD) league rivals Nsingizini Hotspurs who they beat to promotion in the last five matches of the season. The latter then bought their way to the top flight after Vovovo sold their status. Hotspurs are the team of the moment after winning the inaugural MoMo Cup 2022, in their debut season.
They were crowned MoMo Cup champions this past Sunday, after beating Moneni Pirates 2-1 after extra time. It had been 1-all in regular time. Nsingizini are undoubtedly buoyed by the MoMo Cup success, which brings with it silverware and E600 000 champions’ cheque.
Given their performance on the day from the semi-final against Rangers and against
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Madlenya – Senzo Shongwe, Njabulo Maziya, Sebenele Gamedze and Sethu Ngcamphalala.
N. Hotspurs – Wenzile Lushaba, Thubelihle Mavuso, Mancoba Vilakati and Phila Dlamini.
Pirates in the final, they are a team to be reckoned with.
Their preseason also stood out as they lost only two friendly matches of over six they played and among those, they beat Manzini Wanderers who they meet on match-day five.
The Shiselweni Region team also has one of the most reputable coaches in the league, in former Malawi National Under-20 Assistant Gerald Phiri, who is doing wonders with his young team boasting four national Under-23 players who also shone in the MoMo Cup. The youngsters include Wenzile Lushaba and MoMo Cup Player of the Tournament Thubelihle Mavuso.
Victims
Besides lifting the MoMo Cup, they also won their maiden premier league game, Denver Sundowns became 2-0 victims and this will be their second fixture as others were halted due to the national Under-23s involvement and the fact that
Royal Leopard were still in the TotalEnergies Confederation Cup, yet they were among the early fixtures for the rookies.
Madlenya as the home team will be advantaged and Nsingizini coach will hope his troops are over the weekend success, as the match has come too soon after.
The home team is currently third in the standings while Nsingizini are on 11th and seven points behind leaders Young Buffaloes. So far, Madlenya have dominated Nsingizini given their two NFD meetings last season; Madlenya won 1-0 and 2-1 respectively.