‘Bull’, ‘Birds’ in E325k contest

MBABANE – With the 2022/2023 MTN League curtain falling today, capital city rivals Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders will be in a dramatic chase to clinch the lucrative third spot prize money.

Highlanders and Swallows are perched on the fourth and third spot respectively, three points adrift. After their title hopes have been dashed away, with Umkhonto KaShaka having no room for error away against Manzini Sea Birds if they are to cement their third spot.

An upset by Sea Birds and a win for Highlanders against Manzini Wanderers will see them drop to fourth while their capital city rivals take third. The prize money for the third spot is E325 000 while it is E200 000 for the fourth placed finishers.

Highlanders were the league runners-up last season and now they eye to complete a double against the maroon and white Wanderers.

If Highlanders win and Swallows lose, they will tie on points but Inkunz’emnyama (Highlanders) boast a head-to-head advantage, having beat Swallows 2-1 in the first round before a 1-1 draw in the second round recently.

A couple of seasons ago, Highlanders were a victim of the head-to-head rule as log leaders Green Mamba knocked them out of the top four. They claimed the fourth spot and let Highlanders fall to the fifth one after they were level on points.

The Mbabane giants’ matches will kick off simultaneously at 3pm. Swallows take on Sea Birds at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium, while Highlanders will be at Mavuso Sports Centre in a game that will be broadcast live on FIFA+.