It’s crunch derby day!

EZULWINI - Lasuka Lahlala! This is one of the taglines by the league sponsor MTN Eswatini, loosely translated to mean ‘It’s game on’. Yes, the ‘Big Derby’ is here - the Capital City is divided as both sets in Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders supporters as well as football fanatics make their predictions, put their hopes on certain stars and the Almighty.

There’s the league title, which comes with the ticket to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League, possible CAF Confederation Cup ticket to play for here - Swallows gun for the title and CAF Champions League or the Confederation Cup. Highlanders on the other hand, are fighting for the second spot with the Confederation Cup ticket if it is not changed this season with news of the little followed and respected MoMo Cup due to its humiliating circus approach.

Interestingly, this is not the only Derby clash today as security forces sides, title-chasing Young Buffaloes, who currently occupy one of the CAF spots, meet defending champions Royal Leopard at the same time down at KaLanga Technical Centre. Leopard have no pressure as theirs is almost done, since they will not finish in the top four with four games remaining. Leopard are fifth but 10 points behind fourth-placed Highlanders. What are the odds here? Don’t forget, today’s not for the faint hearted.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Swallows - Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, Ayanda Gadlela, Leon Manyisa, Kwakhe Thwala, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala Highlanders - Tshwarelo Bereng, Kenneth ‘Mashaba’ Moloto, Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha, Philani Mkhonto, Mpendulo Tfomo, Musa Dlamini.

HEAD-TO-HEAD:

2022/23 FIRST ROUND

December 12. 2022; Highlanders 2-1 Swallows

2021/22 SEASON

January 23, 2022; Highlanders 1-0 Swallows June 12, 2022; Swallows 1-1 Highlanders

2020/21 SEASON

April 24, 2021; Swallows 0-0 Highlanders

June 26, 2021; Highlanders 1-2 Swallows

2019/20 SEASON

December 22, 2019; Swallows 0-0 Highlanders (No 2nd round as COVID-19 forced season over) 2018/19 season