'Y'ello race: Leopard kingmaker

LOG leaders Green Mamba made a strong statement about winning their first league title since 2019, when they hammered giants Mbabane Highlanders 3-0 this past Sunday.

This is a team riding on a crest of a wave after five-star performances week in and week out, since the start of the year. With seven games to spare, the Correctional Services outfit are still being forced to look over their shoulders by first round champions Young Buffaloes, who are just three points away. Mbabane Swallows are also up there with the ‘big boys’ and are just six points adrift of the top spot.

While fourth-placed Mbabane Highlanders are mathematically in it, it is now snowballing into a threehorse race involving Green Mamba, Buffaloes and Swallows.

The teams have hit top form at the right time.

However, all three teams seem to have a common ‘problem’ in resurgent Royal Leopard, who might have a say on the final destination of the Holy Grail of Eswatini football. All the top three sides are still to play Leopard.

The police side are known for standing their ground against the current top three and have only lost once in the last six meetings with Green Mamba. Buffaloes, on other hand, have beaten Leopard only once in the last 11 attempts.

In fact this fixture has become synonymous with draws. Swallows have also one win in their last five match-ups with Leopard.

In essence, the top three should not only avoid losing against each but pass the Leopard test.

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