Times of Eswatini

Stern test for revitalise­d Leopard

- SOME KEY PLAYERS: HOW THEY BENEFIT: Increase in fitness - SCHOOLS VISITED FROM MID-FEBRUARY:

Fixture:

Mbabane Highlander­s vs Royal Leopard

MBABANE – A fast and improving Royal Leopard side eye high-flying Mbabane Highlander­s’ big scalp, when the two sides meet in an exciting MTN Premier League clash this weekend.

This highlight of the week is between two teams that have shown in their past MTN Premier League games that their encounters are not to be missed.

Highlander­s were able to break the Leopard curse in what was Solly Luvhengo’s first match for the club over a month ago, in what turned out to be an exciting match, where Highlander­s won 3-2 at a packed Mavuso Sports Centre. The win was Highlander­s’ first over Leopard in the league in eight games.

Defeated

The last time Highlander­s had defeated the police side was in the 2016/17 season, where they won by a solitary goal and the black and white outfit will look to complete a league double over Leopard. On paper, Edwin Matsebula’s men have a slight edge over the Solly Luvhengo team that has shown this season that they have a clear mission of pushing log leaders to the last day in the MTN Premier League season. After a disastrous start to the season,

Leopard seem to be slowly shaking the monkey off their backs.

Maestro

In enterprisi­ng midfielder maestro Junior Magagula, the police side have a grenade and there is also Kelvin Kunene who continues to display top shelf football for Leopard in the middle of the park. The experience­d duo of Mlamuli Msibi and Skhumbuzo Magagula give

Highlander­s: Fabrice Mopina, Musa Dlamini, Siwakhile Shongwe

Leopard: Junior Magagula, Thabiso Monkenkoan­e, Muzi Dlamini 2022/2023 season

First round

Highlander­s 3-2 Leopard

2021/2022 season

15/05/22 Highlander­s 1-1 Leopard 03/02/22 Leopard 2-0 Highlander­s

2020/2021 season

10/06/21 Highlander­s 1-2 Leopard 13/12/20 Leopard 2-2 Highlander­s

2019/2020 season

01/03/20 Highlander­s 0-3 Leopard 09/10/19 Leopard 1-0 Highlander­s

them more attacking options.

Thabiso Monkenkoan­e and skipper Muzi Dlamini have also proved to be players for the big stage. Highlander­s were without players like Mpendulo Tfomo and Philani Mkhonto in their 2-1 win over Madlenya last week at Mayaluka Stadium, but Coach Luvhengo still had depth.

The likes of grafter Siwakhile Shongwe, new signing in sturdy centre back Mandla Palma, and Sisekelo Matsenjwa have hit top form to ensure the capital city giants stay in the hunt for the 2022/2023 league title.While both teams boasting a galaxy of stars, we take a look of some of the players who might prove influentia­l on the day.

Gross motor skills - running, catching, throwing. Impacts coordinati­on and balance.

All the running keeps weight at a healthy level, increase in stamina and strength.

Social skills - Helps them learn the value of seeing someone else’s perspectiv­e.

Builds self-confidence - Learning a new skill will boost their self-esteem.

Mental well-being - Reduces stress levels, release of happy hormones and an increase in their focus.

Jabulile Academy

Malkerns Valley Primary School Faith Eternal Academy Lavumisa Primary School Mthonjeni Primary School Mphembekat­i Primary School Maliyaduma Primary School Mphofu Primary School

Manzini Central Primary School Nkonyeni Primary School St Andrews Anglican Primary Sidloko Primary School

Mhlume Primary School

 ?? (File pics) ?? HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHES
(File pics) HEAD-TO-HEAD MATCHES
 ?? ?? Mbabane Highlander­s Siwakhile Shongwe (R) in action. (L pic) Royal Leopard striker Thabiso Monkenkoan­e.
Mbabane Highlander­s Siwakhile Shongwe (R) in action. (L pic) Royal Leopard striker Thabiso Monkenkoan­e.
 ?? (Courtesy pic) ?? Maliyaduma Primary School junior cricketers during a Criiios session.
(Courtesy pic) Maliyaduma Primary School junior cricketers during a Criiios session.
 ?? ?? BY MENGAMELI MABUZA
BY MENGAMELI MABUZA

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