Highlanders, Swallows electric derby today

MANZINI: The clash of Mbabane Highlanders and arch rivals Mbabane Swallows together is a recipe for fireworks – which explains the electric atmosphere as all roads lead to the Mavuso Stadium for the dynamite derby this afternoon.
Being a clash of the titans – the giants of the Eswatini Premier League, focus this afternoon is on ensuring that the game starts well, runs well and ends well.
There is little love lost between Highlanders and Swallows. They are not only the most important playmakers of the League but also traditional rivals with a relationship going back over 70 years.
“Highlanders and Swallows bring the biggest game in the land. When it ends well, that is great for building the positive image we need. A good image plays an important role in the success of our soccer and our efforts in marketing the game both inside the country and internationally. Even our sponsors are happy when they see a good game,” declares Banele Masondo, the PLE’s Football Manager.
“What we ask for is a violence free Sunday. We don’t want to experience what we saw the last time.” That last time is when Swallows trounced Highlanders, sparking soccer violence.
“We are aware that both teams are experiencing internal management problems right now, but please, let’s use the 90 minutes to play our game. We need to appeal to management of both sides to promote a positive spirit because it is common course that violence that disturbs the game starts outside the pitch.”
Anticipation of fireworks has everyone on tenterhooks and fingers crossed for an encounter that is as exciting and that contains volatility to the play of the ball between players
Hopes are very high that the game will pack the stadium with good spirits, bring the kind of windfall revenues for which both teams are thirsty and that at the end of the match, Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) brand manager Lindo Mthupha hopes “the winner is the game.”
At a pre-match event that brought together the two teams’ coaches and captains, everyone expressed confidence that the Derby that side neither is prepared to concede will go well.
Both teams go to the match under a cloud of problems. Internal challenges have seen the giants, Mbabane Highlanders brought to their knees and pushed to the bottom rungs of the log. It is a disturbing performance that is hurting the legacy of one of the legendary people’s teams of the Kingdom. No wonder, passionate fans are breathing hard over management.
These days Highlanders are a divided house plagued by rumours and counter rumours. Going into a key midweek game against Young Buffaloes, Highlanders turned up minus their head-coach, Mthunzi Ginindza who, until Wednesday has had a lean season with only one win in 5 games. Yet the team surprised, stinging the very strong army side with a 2-1 score. Ginindza was also missing at Friday’s match promotion event at Sigwaca House. A tight-lipped caretaker coach, Barnes Dlamini demurred to discussing club internal politics, focusing instead on the coming game. “What I can tell you is that the coach is there. I am his assistant.” Pressed on whether the coach has attended recent training….” I have not seen him at training. Beyond that is beyond me….”
Of this afternoon’s game Dlamini expressed grudging respect for his rivals: “Swallows are a big team. But once we get to the game, all talk ceases. The game will talk for us,” he said.
“Our players are very capable. We will apply our usual strategy to ensure that at the end, we win”, he said.
”Right now, we call on all our supporters to come. We promise them an excellent game.”
Swallows who will be the visitors are however no mean challenge. Coach Caleb Ngwenya left no doubt of what was in their minds. Alluding to the long-held rivalry: “We understand what the match means to our followers and to the game,” he said.
“We go in knowing there is a lot at stake. We can assure our fans that the team is in good shape. In spite of whatever challenges, we are ready for the game.”
Jm/today/10.11.2024