G. Mamba game a decider – Ally

MBABANE – “Losing to Green Mamba twice in one season would be luck for us.” These were the words by Mbabane Highlanders’ South African (SA) Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe ahead of today’s crucial clash with Green Mamba.

His side lost 0-3 in the first round of the MTN Premier League in January, but they meet again this afternoon for the second round which is important for both teams as they chase the title, Green Mamba at the summit and seven points clear of Highlanders who sit on fourth.

Kgomongwe is aware they cannot afford to slip again after the shattering 2-1 loss to Royal Leopard last Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre. “It’s a very decisive game for us. It’s one we must win and I want to say that we can’t be beaten twice. Losing to them again would be bad luck for us. We need to stop them,” Kgomongwe declared.

PLANNING

He said he was already planning on how they could overturn the first round defeat with his management and technical bench led by SA coach Solly Luvhengo.

He is interestingly assisted by former Green Mamba coach Dumisani ‘DU’ Makhanya. “I will also be at the stadium to give the team a motivational boost and encourage our supporters to come out in numbers to watch the game, rally behind their team because we’ll do it all to come out victors of the match,” Kgomongwe said.

He said they had their injury challenges, but experts were assessing the affected players who include troublesome SA winger Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha, while gifted attacking midfielder Philani Mkhonto managed to play against Leopard and scored but he was not yet as 100 per cent.

There was no immediate comment from Green Mamba, but their assistant coach had on Friday during a pre-match media briefing declared they had done their homework for the match which they understood would be no walk in the park.

MANZINI – Athletics Eswatini (AE) has recorded a surplus of close to E100 000. This was revealed by the AE Treasurer Bongani Ntshalintshali during the elective Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held at Khanyisa House in Manzini yesterday.

These are financial from year ended on December 31, 2022. According to figures, the E93 972 surplus reflect a huge improvement from the E122 118 deficit. The surplus comes after the association