Leopard aim for Tambuti scalp
TODAY: TAMBUTI VS ROYAL LEOPARD AT KALANGA SPORTS CENTRE, 3PM MBABANE – Four points out of a possible 12 for MTN Premier League defending champions, Royal Leopard is a bad start without a doubt for the star-studded Edwin Matsebula-coached team that is hopeful again to play in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League next year.
By this time last season, after having played four games, Leopard were on top of the log with 12 points out of a possible 12 and were without a single defeat. Tambuti on the other hand have struggled to come to the party and just like last season, they have one point after four matches, so nothing has changed – it appears they would be fighting relegation once again.
They face a team that is from the Champions League and CAF Confederation Cup and also hellbound to get the ball rolling in the league as they are already lagging behind despite having two games in hand. Leopard have four points and leaders Young Buffaloes who have played six matches have 13 points. Given last season’s results between the two sides, goals
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Fanelo Tsabedze (Royal Leopard) Mpendulo Ngidi (Tambuti)
LAST SEASON’S HEAD-TO-HEAD:
R. Leopard 5 – 0 Tambuti
Tambuti 0 – 2 Leopard can be expected as Leopard won 5-0 and 2-0 respectively. Football being football, Leopard know that they cannot underestimate their rivals, especially after they were licked 1-0 by hard to crack rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs last Wednesday. The police team did make amends last Saturday when they beat Seven Dreams 1-0.
However, they have some catching up to do as even the second-placed team in the standings has 12 points in six matches. For a team that has consecutively won the league and looking for a third, Leopard cannot afford to slip anymore or they will be out of the race even before the first round incentive of E100 000 is won, currently leaning towards Buffaloes given their remaining seven fixtures.
Tambuti may find them a bit weakened with regular stars in midfielder Junior Andy Magagula, full back Simanga Masangane and Mlamuli Msibi doubtful for this match, having missed the last games because of injuries. These are both teams that need to move away from the bottom part of the table which puts pressure on Leopard and the onus to grind results on Tambuti who have among players to look up to former Manzini Wanderers stylish midfielder Mpendulo Ngidi.