Come enjoy – Ally, ‘Beyond 2000’
EZULWINI - Confidence is good for motivation and that is what Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe oozes. He declared yesterday that his team was certain it had done all there was to be done to get positive results against an on form Mbabane Swallows.
The two teams meet in the MTN Premier League second round Mbabane Derby fixture at Mavuso Sports Centre, kick-off at 3pm.
“They were here in Pretoria using AmaTuks facilities at the university. For once in this calendar season we have a full squad, which is good for us.
“We’re bringing a fired up team and we have the masterplan to win this match. I’ve seen us prepare for a game like this one and it takes a lot of capacity and money, which we have and quality players,” Kgomongwe said yesterday from Pretoria, South Africa, where Highlanders was camped since Monday until Friday.
“We know their weaknesses and we know they also know us so it’ll be a good game of football but one we are out to win again,” he said.
Kgomongwe invited the supporters of both clubs to fill the stadium and enjoy football without any confrontations or violence this time.
His reaction when told that Swallows
General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane predicted a 3-1 win for his team while Highlanders’ Public Relations Officer (PRO) Kenneth Nkambule went for 2-1 in their favour, was that ‘we won’t talk much but we are ready for the Derby’.
DEFEAT
Swallows GM, Zwane appealed with their supporters to come in numbers and assured the team would fight with everything it has to turn around the first round 2-1 defeat.
“This is one of the biggest derbies in Africa and Eswatini uses to showcase to the world our football as we seek sponsorships and broadcast deals to boost us as teams.
“We, therefore, believe our supporters as Swallows and Highlanders can finally outgrow the violent behaviour and enjoy football, accept results without fighting anyone. The team has prepared and ready to play an enjoyable game,” Zwane said.
He said they were confident of the peaceful family day and entertaining game of football on the day which any fan will find worth their E50 entry fee.
He also said while Highlanders stood to have their MD at the stadium, Swallows President Lukhele was out of the country having left yesterday, but he was with them in spirit and had done all he had to for the team to win today’s match.
The English champions received a welcome boost on Friday when Premier League leaders Arsenal were held to a 3-3 draw by bottom-of-thetable Southampton. That result left second-placed City five points behind Arsenal, but with two games in hand ahead of their crucial clash against the Gunners in Manchester on Wednesday.
With the Arsenal match in mind, Guardiola made six changes from the side that drew at Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-final second leg on Wednesday. Ederson was replaced by Stefan Ortega in goal, while Ruben Dias, John Stones, Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden were left on the bench.
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