Nsingizini face 1st real test in ‘Buffs’
MBABANE – It is an interesting week in the MTN Premier League, which returns to full swing this weekend after a brief break to give way to the inaugural MoMo Cup Finals last Sunday. NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS VS YOUNG BUFFALOES
The match is scheduled for tomorrow at 3pm at the King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano, where a full house can be expected given that the home side and elite rookies will be at home. The arena also plays host to crowd pulling Mbabane Highlanders who will welcome their visitors in rookies Madlenya FC. Izinyoni SeZulu, as Nsingizini are also fondly called, have already played two league matches; their debut against Denver Sundowns was a success as they won 2-0 but that was the last time they played a senior team in the league. They beat Madlenya 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon but the latter are fellow rookies. It is against the
Elite rookies Nsingizini were crowned the inaugural champions, much against expectations, given there were favourites Mbabane Highlanders but they got eliminated by another big gun in Moneni Pirates in a penalty shoot-out.
Pirates went on to lose 1-2 after extra time, Nsingizini winning the title with E600 000 as on song Buffaloes that they have a tough test that will also gauge them in as far as competitiveness is concerned. If they can get anything out of the strong army team with fresh and young talent blended with experience and dominant in the national squads on top finishing third last season, then their elite rivals will have to start taking them seriously; they have the potential to be a great team.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Phila Dlamini (Ns. Hotspurs) Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula (Y. Buffaloes) the grand prize. They face army side and leaders Young Buffaloes next among other exciting fixtures in a weekend that also sees the ‘Big 3’ and defending champions Royal Leopard under pressure to win. Here’s a brief analysis of some of the match-ups, as confirmed by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).
GREEN MAMBA VS MNZ WANDERERS
A must-win for both teams but it is undoubtedly hub giants Manzini Wanderers, after a dishevelled start that has seen them go four matches without a point or even a lone goal. The league has three rookie teams but none of them is in the bottom four after two to four matches, instead it is Wanderers who languish at the basement of the table. The James Kunene and Terisayi Changara-coached side need the maximum points, if not, then losing may not be the option for them either but a point at least to start counting before the situation gets worse and starts sounding relegation in only the first round of the season. Their rivals want consistency, which has been evasive but they can build from their 2-0 win over security forces’ rivals and defending champions Royal Leopard. Green Mamba has six points of a possible 12 on four matches and are four points behind the leading Young Buffaloes, which is why they will be all out for the maximum three at KaLanga Technical Centre tomorrow. Wanderers are already 10 points behind the leaders and their fixtures are getting tougher with each passing week. Tough Manzini Sea Birds and Leopard are lined up in their next two fixtures after this one.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa (G. Mamba) Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini (M. Wanderers)
MBABANE HIGHLANDERS VS MADLENYA
These are two sides that will be meeting for the first time in the league and clearly, last season’s star-studded Highlanders are favourites to annex the maximum points. However, as much as this is a must-win for the capital city giants who have already fallen three points behind leaders Young Buffaloes, Madlenya know they can be exploited after showing cracks in the MoMo Cup against Moneni Pirates. Teams like Denver Sundowns and Moneni Pirates who do not ooze the same quality and salary package as them have already denied them success in the league and their supporters are demanding results. The Coach Dumsani ‘DU’ Makhanya was last Sunday held hostage by angry fans and they know that anything other than a win here will not augur well for them with loud calls for a new coach already being made. Madlenya have lost twice in succession after two wins in their opening matches against Manzini Wanderers and Seven Dreams and will not just bow to the giants. This could be the make or break match for Makhanya as the gaffer of Highlanders which make it all interesting. Kick-off is at 1pm at King Sobhuza II Memorial II Memorial Stadium.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha (M. Highlanders)
Sethu Ngcamphalala (Madlenya)
MTN PREMIER FULL FIXTURES (WEEK 5):
Tomorrow
Tambankulu Stadium:
T. Callies vs M. Pirates
KaLanga Technical Centre:
S. Dreams vs M. Swallows G. Mamba vs M. Wanderers
King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium:
M. Highlanders vs Madlenya FC Ns. Hotspurs vs Y. Buffaloes
Sunday: KaLanga Technical Centre:
Tambuti vs Leopard D. Sundowns vs Sea Birds
Next Wednesday (16/11/22):
Ns. Hotspurs vs R. Leopard 3pm
1pm 3pm
1pm 3pm
1pm 3pm
3pm