Highlanders’ downfall in Mbabane Derby
MBABANE – The Mbabane Swallows technical team executed a brilliant master plan that led them to victory in the derby against Mbabane Highlanders on Sunday.
The game will be remembered as one of the most interesting derbies, watched by special guests, including the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, at the iconic Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon. It was the creative and genius master plan from gaffer Caleb Ngwenya that saw Inkunzi Emnyama suffer a loss in the Ingwenyama Cup tournament. This derby was not just about bragging rights, but also a passage to the finals of the Sincephetelo Motor VehicleAccidents Fund (SMVAF) sponsored tournament, where they will face Green Mamba. The eventual winner of the final will claim a prize of E1.4 million, with the final’s date yet to be announced. The Times Sports Desk highlights some of the key tactical approaches that won the game for the red and white outfit.
Swallows overloaded their midfield
One of the strategic approaches employed by the Swallows technical team during the game was overloading the midfield. They achieved this by positioning Kwakhe Tfwala as a defensive midfielder, with Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Leon Manyisa playing behind him, and assigning Neliswa Dlamini to a more advanced role. Overloading the midfield proved to be a game-changing strategy that significantly improved Swallows’ chances of winning.
By positioning more players in the midfield, Swallows gained several key advantages. First, it allowed them to maintain better ball possession, forcing Highlanders to work harder to regain control and creating more scoring opportunities for Swallows. Additionally, having more midfielders resulted in improved passing options, enabling the team to exploit gaps in the opponent’s defence more effectively. The extra players also provided better defensive support, making it more difficult for the Highlanders to launch effective attacks. This strategic decision to overload the midfield ultimately played a crucial role in Swallows’ victory.
Playing ‘Tiger’ in advanced role
Deploying the former Manzini Wanderers player in a more advanced role significantly enhanced Swallows’ attacking potential. This strategic move created more goal-scoring opportunities, which worked well for the team as the midfielder scored a brace in the game. The advanced position also increased pressure on the opponent’s defence and enabled faster transitions from defence to offence. Additionally, this strategy created space for teammates and provided adaptability in various game situations, demonstrating its effectiveness in boosting Swallows’ overall performance.
Made sure ‘Pupu’ was isolated
The former Mbabane Swallows player posed a significant threat to his former team before the game, and the Swallows technical team was well aware of this, given his extensive experience playing for the team. However, during the match, the player was isolated in the middle of the field, which created several issues for his team. The isolation resulted in limited passing options, making it easier for Swallows to intercept the ball or force turnovers, leading to potential counter-attacks. In the second half of the game, Umkhonto KaShaka frequently capitalised on these opportunities through their attacking midfielder.
Without nearby teammates, the player struggled to find support in both offensive and defensive situations, reducing their overall effectiveness on the field. Additionally, the increased workload led to quicker fatigue, which was evident when the player was substituted by Swakhile Shongwe in the second half of the game. The player’s performance was significantly impacted by the isolation and fatigue, highlighting the importance of maintaining proper positioning and support from teammates throughout the match.
Implementing a false nine strategy
Playing Ayanda Gadlela in a false nine position, where he dropped deep into the midfield instead of staying in the traditional centre-forward role, offered several advantages for his team. This approach created space by drawing defenders like Thami Zulu out of position, allowing Swallows’ attacking midfielders such as Leon Manyisa, Sizolwethu Shabalala and Nhlanhla Ngwenya to exploit gaps in the opponent’s defence. The extra player in the midfield also enhanced possession, providing more passing options and facilitating better build-up play.
The unconventional use of a false nine introduced unpredictability, making it difficult for Dumsani Makhanya’s team to determine which player should mark Gadlela. This versatility enabled him to adapt to various situations, whether it was assisting in build-up play, pressing defenders, or moving into goal-scoring positions. Despite playing deeper, Gadlela still posed a goal-scoring threat, as evidenced by his well-taken goal from outside the box. Arriving late in the penalty area or shooting from distance, he demonstrated the effectiveness of a false nine in maintaining a potent attacking threat while also supporting the midfield.
Overloaded Delisa’s left back position
The Highlanders left-back struggled to maintain proper positioning throughout the match, creating gaps in the defence that their traditional rivals exploited. Swallows took advantage of these gaps, particularly through ‘Nunu’, who had an outstanding first half and played a crucial role in creating their first goal by dribbling past the defender. The left-back’s difficulties were evident as Swallows focused their attacks on his side, causing him to have a tough game.
In addition to his positioning struggles, the left-back frequently committed defensive errors. He also failed to provide effective overlapping runs, which limited his team’s offensive options, particularly when it came to delivering crosses into the box. These shortcomings in the left-back’s performance allowed Swallows to exploit the vulnerabilities in the Highlanders’ defence, ultimately contributing to their success in the match.
Swallows looked fresh for the game
The Highlanders technical team should reconsider their habit of travelling to South Africa whenever there is a derby, as this approach may not always yield the desired results. The team’s performance in the second half of the recent match suggested that the long travels to Pretoria might have taken a toll on the players’ energy levels. Additionally, rumours of missed training sessions could indicate that the team was not adequately prepared for the game, which may have contributed to Swallows’ dominance from the onset. It is important for the Highlanders technical team to re-evaluate their travel and training schedules to ensure that the players are well-rested and sufficiently prepared for future matches, especially high-stakes derbies.