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MBABANE – Despite security concerns from some Royal Leopard fans, their pending fixture against Nsingizini Hotspurs will go on as planned tomorrow.
That is according to the amended fixture, which was issued by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) yesterday. The game between Royal Leopard and Nsingizini Hotspurs is billed for tomorrow at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium and kick-off time is 2pm.
Leopard fans in one of their social media platforms have raised security concerns, highlighting that they expected the game to be postponed. The concerns came after fellow security forces side Young Buffaloes was attacked by unknown gunmen this past Saturday on their way back from an MTN Premier League game in Nhlangano.
“The PLE should postpone this game maybe until the weekend because I sense a skirmish after the game,” said one fan.
Another fan said lives mattered than football.
“The PLE should postpone this game; we are not safe here, after what happened to Young Buffaloes, anything can happen to our team. We rather be safe than to be sorry,” said another fan.
Following the safety concerns, Deputy Police Information and Communications Officer Inspector Nosipho Mnguni said they were aware on the attack on Young Buffaloes.
“We are aware of these security concerns but protocol denotes that
MLives BABANE – Zithande Athletics Club Coach Nsizwa Thwala has advised athletes and joggers to ensure safety while training on public roads.
Thwala made these comments in light of the political unrest, which makes road training unsafe, especially in the wee hours of the morning and evening.
He cited previous incidents whereby runners had been attacked and robbed during their routine training or knocked down by traffic especially during the festive season.
It is during the festive when some drivers pose a danger to pedestrians, as they drive under the influence of alcohol.
Thwala said group training was advisable for runners. He said indoor training was a better option for individuals. He emphasized the importance of maintaining an active and
Royal Leopard in action in one of their CAF competitions. we must not reveal what we will do ahead of the game. to ensure safety,” said Mnguni. “We have noted that all teams have
Asked about the Buffaloes incident upped their performance, which is which happened on Saturday, when good for the league. It is not only unknown gunmen opened fire on a bus Nsingizini that have proved that they in which the army side players were are a hard nut to crack but all the teams travelling in, she said they were aware have showed they are unbeatable,” of the incident and no one has been said Fakudze. arrested so far in relation to the shooting. Meanwhile, Nsingizini Hotspurs Royal Leopard Manager Richard Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mncedisi ‘Danka’ Fakudze said they had received Bhembe said they were aware of the fixture and were aware that the match the fixture change. was rescheduled to an hour earlier. “We have seen the amended fixture.
“This works to our advantage, we We have been hard at training will finish in time and leave while it preparing for this game. It will not is not dark to our respective places,” be an easy game following our good he said. game against Young Buffaloes,” said
Asked about their preparedness Bhembe. He said they had a full squad healthy lifestyle even during the prevailing challenges.
“As outdoor trainers, we are never safe being outside. These unsafe conditions
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURE:
ahead of the game.
Leopard are playing catch-up following their engagement in CAF competitions.
They were booted out in the CAF Champions League after they lost to Coton Sport of Cameroon. They were then relegated to the CAF Confederation Cup where they played AS Real Bamako. They lost on 4-2 aggregate score. Had they won against Bamako of Mali, they would have qualified to the group stages where they were entitled to E4.9 million. include the hype of the festive season, risking being attacked on the road; injuries on bad roads; and many more. People must continue training despite whatsoever is happening. It seems the political tension won’t be resolved any time soon yet health and fitness can’t wait. Your body is your business,” Thwala said.
Encouraged
Meanwhile, Thwala encouraged people to join the Woza Festive Trainjing Programmje which is the 11th edition. The next long run will start from Manzini at Zakhele , via Nhlambeni, enroute to Sigcineni and back to the starting point.
This is will be the third run item on the programme, which has seven more runs remaining before the end of the year. The last and final race for 2022 is penned for December 31, 2022. Participation is open to all interested individuals and people living along the race routes are welcome to join during the course of the run.