Battle of ‘Birds’ at Somhlolo National Stadium
Fixture: M. Swallows vs M. Sea Birds Venue: Somhlolo National Stadium Kick-off: 6pm Entry fee: E50 MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows search for their first win when they welcome Manzini Sea Birds tonight.
Swallows have been dominant over Sea Birds as they won both home and away fixtures with a 2-1 score and Sea Birds are still licking their wounds after they were eliminated by Mbabane Highlanders in the MoMo Cup play-off finals after they had won the semifinals 2-1 against Denver Sundowns.
The two sides clash tonight in a different tournament and they will both be looking at pocketing the maximum points.
The ‘Birds’ had failed to win their first two opening matches and they are ninth in the 14-team league. They settled for a 1-all draw against Young Buffaloes and a 2-all draw against Denver Sundowns. Against the latter, they enjoyed a two-goal lead before their backdoor was smashed towards the end. It is no secret that Coach Musa Manyatsi is now feeling the heat and will want to turn the corner at the expense of the unpredictable side.
Meanwhile, Manzini Sea Birds are looking at continuing with their good run in the league as they last won 4-2 against Tambankulu Callies. They sit fifth on the table. They
played an all draw against defending champions Royal Leopard in their opening fixture and they will definitely give Mbabane Swallows a tough time with their players including Muzi Tsabedze, Mthokozisi Gwebu and Linda Maphalala looking sharp. However, ‘Izinyoni Zolwandle’will definitely miss their former player Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze who has since assumed his chieftaincy duties at Mahlalini.