‘Birds’ f ly out for revenge
TODAY NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS VS MBABANE SWALLOWS AT KING SOBHUZA II MEMORIAL STADIUM, 3:15PM
MBABANE – Having both recorded different results from their previous outings in Week 15 of the MTN Premier League fixtures, Mbabane Swallows will take a long drive to Nhlangano in the southern part of the country to visit rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs for this afternoon’s clash. The Beautiful Birds go there with one word in mind – revenge.
Nsingizini stunned them 2-1 in the reverse fixture. However, the rookies are yet to win a match since the turn of the year, despite that they are fifth in the standings. They are fresh from a 1-0 defeat at home to Mbabane Highlanders last Sunday. Nsingizini will be looking to revive their winning ways at the expense of Swallows as coach Gerald Phiri said they were taking it one game at a time and results would soon come.
Swallows beat their hoodoo rivals Moneni Pirates 2-0 last week and are aiming to keep the momentum going as they play catch-up with the leading teams Green Mamba, Young Buffaloes and Highlanders. The Caleb
Ngwenya-coached Swallows are trailing log leaders Green Mamba by six points and are yet to lose a game in the new year. They last tasted defeat on December 17, 2022, when they lost 2-1 against sworn rivals
Mbabane Highlanders at Mavuso Sports Centre.
On paper, Swallows look likely to win the match, but the Shiselweni-based side is not an easy side to beat, as witnessed in their last game against Highlanders,
PREVIOUS MEETING:
M. Swallows 1-2 N. Hotspurs
KEY PLAYERS:
N. Hotspurs: Thubelihle Mavuso, Mayibongwe Mabuza, Mancoba Vilakati M. Swallows: Leon ‘Schuster’ Manyisa, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorts
who narrowly beat them 1-0 deep into added time. They have a quality squad which is capable of causing havoc on a good day, Swallows should guard against the roving pair of Mayibongwe ‘Suarez’ Mabuza and Thubelihle Mavuso, who are a menace to many defenders.
The capital city giants will be welcoming their top scorer Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst from suspension, who has made it a habit to score in every game he plays.
It remains to be seen which team will come out victors in this epic clash as they head to this fixture separated by a margin of five points. Umkhonto KaShaka is perched on position four on the standings with 28 points, while Insingizi yezulu is on five with 23 points. Swallows also expect their latest marquee signing Kwakhe Thwala from Young Buffaloes.
PREVIOUS MEETING:
M. Sea Birds 0-0 G. Mamba
KEY PLAYERS:
Bafana Ngwenya, Mthokozisi Gwebu, Muzi Tsabedze (M. Sea Birds)
Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Mxolisi Mkhonto, Sibongakonkhe Silenge (G. Mamba)