LAST SEASON’S HEAD-TO-HEAD:
M– This may prove a very long game for star-studded Mbabane Highlanders unless the players go out there with one mentality - to win the match and let the leadership crisis play itself out.
It has been a tough week for the club as they have made headlines all week.
Just yesterday, they woke up to a tell-it-all interview and devastating back page headline that their South African Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe was as good as gone as he insisted the club’s Patrons, particularly the Chairman gave him the impression he could pack his bags and leave. He had already set December 30 as the last day he was in charge and the last time he will be paying the players’ salaries.
Challenge
Definitely not a good situation for a team that has everything it needs to challenge the security forces, particularly defending champions Royal Leopard to the title this season having already easily brushed aside Young Buffaloes and Green Mamba.
Their Captain Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa has a lot of work to do to motivate his teammates alongside the coach Ernest Mavuso.
From what we hear, the players want to win this match and leapfrog Leopard to the summit for the second time in two weeks.
Pirates Highlanders 1 – 1 Highlanders 2 – 0 Pirates
After all, Kgomongwe declared his love for the team yesterday morning on national radio and that he would be giving out bonuses to ensure the team won all its December games. Two points separate the two sides at the top with Highlanders on second with 14 points.
Talented
Pirates will also want to keep their four-match unbeaten run at the expense of the talented and experienced Highlanders who are easily winners on paper. On the field of play,
Pirates will be no walk in the park and they have a coach in Gcina Dlamini, who likes possession football, just what Highlanders are about too only they are quick going forward which will require extra effort from the Sea Robbers’ defence. Pirates stand at position eight with eight points.
The likes of central defender Sihle Mkhonta, Takawira and Jose Machado have the task to deal with Sikhali, the skilful South African wingers Nkosinathi ‘Smally’ Fakudze and Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha as well as Kenneth Moloto.
Furthermore, Pirates will also have the headache of facing their former midfielder in the gifted Lindani Siseke‘Rio’ Matsenjwa, makes the team whenever he plays.
Interesting
tl o who i c k
It will be an interesting game to follow and one to watch for the COVID-19 vaccinated fans. Meanwhile, Pirates are fresh from a 1-all draw with Tambuti while Highlanders were held 1-1 by Manzini Sea Birds, which saw Leopard go above to pole position again.
However, the leaders’ game with Denver Sundowns had been put on hold to give them a chance to prepare for the second leg of the TOTALErnegies CAF Confederation Cup play-off fixture away in Algeria against JS Kabyile next Tuesday. However, the CAF fixture has also since been cancelled and will now take place next month. They will now play Sundowns on this day at Kaphunga Technical Centre
Mbabane Highlanders’ Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa. Young Buffaloes’ Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze. Manzini Wanderers’ Fabrice Mopina.