Another day, another hurdle for winless Wanderers

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M- The biggest question is will Manzini Wanderers turn the corner this afternoon after a dishevelled start, going five matches without a single point this season but only managing their only goal last weekend when they lost 3-1 to Green Mamba.

As it stands, losing is out of the question for the maroon and white outfit, they need to grind a result, albeit against a stubborn side that has all the potential to take the maximum points.

Sea Birds are yet to lose a match after managing one win and four draws.

That gives the away team seven points and a better placing on the log table than Wanderto

PLAYERS TO WATCH:

Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Fabrice Mopina, Bongiswa Dlamini (M. Wanderers)

Muzi Tsabedze, Mthokozisi Gwebu, Ndumiso ‘Tower’ Ndaba (M. Sea Birds)

ers who are down

Losing a sixth match could spell disaster for the team that is currently without a director after they unceremoniously sidestepped South Africa’s Cedric Mathata who is now expected to buy shares to continue as a director.

Tricky

at the basement.

Their tricky rivals, Sea Birds, will be in no compromising mood as they are a team that has been improving lately and this season will be one they can hope to finish in the top four for the first time after managing the top six in the last two seasons.

Interesting enough about this hub derby is that it will be decided in the capital city today and history shows that when these two meet, there is always a winner.

So, goals can be expected in this matchup, but can Wanderers rise to the occasion and collect their first maximum points this season?

It all remains to be seen but as is, Sea Birds go into this one as favourites while the pressure is all on the hosting team.

Last season, Sea Birds won the first round 3-1 away only to surrender back the three points in the second round after Wanderers won 3-2.

The same happened in the 2020/21 season where the maroon and white side won 2-1 away and Izinyoni Zolwandle (Sea Birds) got their revenge in the second round, winning 1-0.

Wanderers will be hoping Fabrice Mopina, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and their first choice goalkeeper Bongiswa Dlamini will be bringing their ‘A’ game into this clash.

M– Army side Young Buffaloes are out to retain their pole position which means they cannot afford to slip up today.

They are one point ahead of second-placed Mbabane Highlanders and third-placed rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs who play each other tomorrow at Mavuso Sports Centre. It’s crucial for Buffaloes to get the maximum points if they are to retain their position and lead, as the first round starts to wear down to its most interesting times when the boys are separated from men for the first round leaders incentive of E100 000.

Buffaloes slumped to a 1-all draw with Nsingizini last Saturday in a game they will quickly want to forget, as they still feel they were cheated by inconsistent refereeing on the day. They scored two goals but one was ruled off-side by an assistant referee. They face an unpredictable youthful Denver Sundowns who play impressive football under Coach Ikabort Masocha. The latter’s troops are from a 2-2 draw with Sea Birds

who they led 2-1 after coming from behind. This is the same Sundowns that held one of the toughest and star-studded sides in the league, Mbabane Highlanders to a goalless draw and giants Mbabane Swallows to a 2-all draw. They have the likes of Langelihle Dlamini, Mike Dombo and Reagan Charles at their disposal to cause havoc to any team.

The Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlaminiled Buffaloes on the other hand, have a lot of arsenal to win any match, the likes of Bongwa Matsebula, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and Bongiswa Dlamini are some of the best players that can influence results. After this match, it will be rookies Madlenya and Tambuti fighting it out.