Badenhorst ‘Birds’ hope against ‘Bull’
MBABANE SWALLOWS VS MBABANE HIGHLANDERS AT MAVUSO SPORTS CENTRE, 3PM
EZULWINI – In exactly seven league meetings since South African businessman and politician Chief Ally Kgomongwe took over as Mbabane Highlanders sole Director, Umkhonto KaShaka (Swallows) have not enjoyed the dominance they had prior to the 2019/20 season.
In today’s clash, Swallows, who are the hosts, will be hoping to avenge a first round 2-1 defeat at the same venue. The two sides have been in winning form but Swallows have been enjoying scoring goals like it was nobody’s business, they have the most goals in the league. This is one characteristic of the Swallows that was led by the late Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze. In came Archbishop Bheki Lukhele, who is the President of the team and he is also working towards seeing the team back in African soccer.
The road to the interclub competitions passes through their traditional rivals, Highlanders, who played the Confederation Cup last season as runners-up to Leopard.
Four points stand between thirdplaced Swallows and Highlanders with four matches to play.
Swallows are also five points shy of leaders Green Mamba, who play Moneni Pirates in a tricky fixture today and also three behind second-placed Buffaloes. So, winning but losing is everything for Tinyoni or Umkhonto KaShaka, Ukhona Ozonethwa their loyals always say. On the other hand, Magebhula as Inkunz’emnyama or Highlanders are also fondly known will be in no compromising mood.
Fact is, these two sides and their leadership are in bed under the Simunye banner but as always, that has not tampered with the significance of this tie set for live broadcast locally and highlights views by the world through SuperSport pay-per-view channel. It is anticipated that more supporters than in the first round will go to the stadium given what’s at stake, the teams’ current form
and litany of game changers and experience they both have.
This is the game that separates families, have people ditch their meal and partners among other post reactions. Swallows won 6-0 last Saturday against a struggling and relegation threatened Tambankulu Callies, while Highlanders edged a stubborn Manzini Sea Birds 2-1. In the last six league meetings since the 2019/20 season (no second round in 2019/20 due to COVID-19) Highlanders have looked in control and unfortunate not to get the full points at least in one instance when a clear Josef Lekata goal was disallowed at a packed Somhlolo National Stadium - how unfortunate, this game is at the tiny arena than the country’s under revamp soccer Mecca.
Swallows have recorded a 2-1 win against Kgomongwe’s troops and that was when the latter had declared he would never lose to Swallows. He blamed it on his late arrival at the stadium on the day but here’s another chance, who will have the last laugh today, him or Lukhele? Kgomongwe has enjoyed two wins already. It’s all happening at 3pm, don’t miss out the action. Highlanders are looking to close the four-point gap between them and Swallows as they push for the second spot.