‘ Weslians’ in tricky Callies clash

Manzini Wanderers players outdid themselves as they snatched all three points in the match and said it was about protecting the brand but they still wanted to be paid their owed salaries.

Manzini Wanderers vs Tambankulu Callies

Venue: Mavuso Sports Centre, Manzini

Kickoff: 12pm

MBABANE – Early this month, Manzini Wanderers players shunned training in protest over unpaid salaries for the months of May and June but returned one day before playing tricky rivals Milling Hot Spurs in the MTN Premier League second round.

The players outdid themselves as they snatched all three points in the match and said it was about protecting the brand but they still wanted to be paid their owed salaries.

They beat Milling Hot Spurs 1- 0 on July 13. Just over a week later, they went into another strike over the same money issue yet they have this fixture against Tambankulu Callies, who are doing their best to survive relegation with 24 points currently and placed ninth on the table – five points in the clear from the relegation zone with five more games to play.

TRAINING

Even ahead of this fixture today, Wanderers only returned to training on Thursday and then yesterday. Can they pull another win under the circumstances or will Callies punish them for the inadequate training routine in the last two weeks?

It remains to be seen if the hub giants can win and reclaim the fourth spot on the standings where Mbabane Highlanders sits on level 43 points and a game more.

Callies know that a win will boost them as they move further away from the dreaded axe but losing is working against them as it gives the other teams below the chance to catch up with a few more games to go.

They must at least reach 30 points to stand a very good chance of survival with three

clubs below them having played a game less. The last match for Callies did not go as well, as they had to come from behind to earn a 2- 2 draw against Manzini Sea Birds yet they had just beaten elite rookies Tinyosi.

Callies also parted ways with Coach Bongani Mhlongo and are currently under his assistant Simanga Sibiya. The club’s boss, Sithembiso Ngudze Mamba, is also one who takes no bad results for granted and speaks his mind – Mhlongo can attest to that so Sibiya knows very well he must produce positive results.

The two sides clashed back on May 9 and it was a 1- all draw.

( Pic: Ntokozo Magongo) Green Mamba’s Mthunzi Mkhontfo controls the ball while Manzini Wanderers’ Mthunzi Motsa closes in yesterday during the MTN Premier League game played at Mavuso Sports Centre. The game ended with a 1- all draw.