Green Mamba invade Buffaloes for title glory
MTODAY: YOUNG BUFFALOES VS GREEN MAMBA AT NSUKUWANSUKU STADIUM, 3PM
BABANE – The marathon is nearly over – the finish line is just a stone’s throw away and given the title run-in between these two security forces rivals, army side Young Buffaloes and Correctional Services’ Green Mamba, it can all be over this afternoon.
The latter are leaders in the MTN Premier League standings with a four-point advantage over their tough and unbeaten rivals all season long. Buffaloes sit on second and will want to retain their unbeaten run, which stretched last season’s second round February, last year. However, Green Mamba are favourites on paper when comparing their style of play to that of their opponents today. The Correctional Services side has the title to lose, otherwise all they need is to avoid defeat this afternoon if winning and sealing their championship proves impossible after the 90 or so minutes. If Green Mamba win this tie, they will be the league champions again since their 2018/19 success and head to the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League. Interestingly, Buffaloes want the same thing as Green Mamba – the title glory and continental football but it is impossible if they don’t get three points out of this clash.
Concerned
A point will only mean both have the next match day to look forward to with the race still on. Furthermore, it is also about third-placed Mbabane Swallows, who remain possible champions if the leaders who are seven points ahead of them slip up. It is not Green Mamba that should be more concerned though but Buffaloes as their second spot is also not safe yet. Emathol’ezinyathi as the army side is fondly known are four points better than Swallows with three games to go. Swallows host a tricky Denver Sundowns this afternoon at Prince of Wales Sports Ground. How did the first round fixture go between Buffaloes and Green Mamba? Given that the match ended 3-1 to the former’s favour on October 15 last year. At that time, Green Mamba had not really got into their rhythm under one of the best coaches the country has, Ernest Mavuso, who has now gone 14 games unbeaten and without a draw. He and his troops just need to avoid defeat and all the better if they turn the tables today as their task to be champions and CAF envoys will have been done with two games to spare. Buffaloes are fresh from another derby, with police side Royal Leopard, which ended 1-all last Sunday and left them four points behind as their rivals this afternoon won 3-1 against Moneni Pirates.