MBABANE, 21 January 2024: Ngwenyama Cup defending champions and current MTN Premier League log leaders Green Mamba have a tall mountain to climb this weekend. They must defeat their nemesis, Royal Leopards at Mayaluka at 15:30 on Saturday to squeeze into the last eight and keep alive their hopes of retaining the lucrative Cup.
Mambas and Leopards are evenly matched. They are almost co-leaders on the MTN Log, Green Mamba eclipsing Leopards with goal difference. They drew 0-0 in their last Premier League encounter. In the current tournament, at face value, Leopards have the upper hand. While Mamba struggled to beat Royal Swallows 1-0 at the Manzini Club last Saturday, a very on-form Leopards mauled Ubombo Flyers 4-0 at Mayaluka to take a place in the last 16.
MTN defending champions and Ngwenyama Cup runners up, Mbabane Swallows return to the Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini to face CK Survivors on Saturday. Swallows are clearly the dark horses stalking the tournament. Already cruising high and relishing their formidable showing at a packed Mavuso Sports arena on Sunday where they endeared themselves with the fans by overpowering an enterprising First Division Ludzeludze Killers. The aggressive and cunning Killers who would have collapsed a lesser side, finally bowed out 3-1 acknowledging the out-of-their-class Swallows. Fortune continues to smile on the Birds. In the draw for the last 8, they picked the lowly CK Survivors at the Mavuso Sports Centre at 16:00. Unless they fail to show up for the game or arrive sleepy, it is a contest for them to win.
Absolutely not to be overlooked, are Moneni Pirates. Fasa Spoko demonstrated a strong appetite for goals in a tournament surfeit with them. They contributed 6 of the 53 goals scored so far in the tournament to strongly discipline Pigg’s Peak Swallows. This weekend, Pirates must travel to the King Sobhuza ll Stadium in Nhlangano and try to repeat their winning magic against Rangers on Saturday at 15:30.
This weekend all eyes are on the hallowed heads of Lozitha Spurs following their slaying of Premier League giants and multiple champions, Mbabane Highlanders. It was a clean victory, professionally executed. Spurs showed disrespect to the giants by scoring early in the first half, and confirming their intentions to win by adding a second goal before Highlanders could answer with a lonely goal.
Whether Lozitha Spurs can repeat this feat against Madlenya FC will be seen on Saturday at when they meet the Siphofaneni side at the Manzini Club at 15:00.
Shiselweni Regional side, Nkwene Sundowns are another side to watch. They will again be waiting for Sea Birds at the King Sobhuza ll Stadium at 13:00. Big Bend side, Illovo will be at home at Mayaluka on Saturday where they have a date with Sisonke at 13:00. Sisonke will be showing their mettle for the first time since they enjoyed a leisure weekend on standby last week.
Ezulwini United on the other hand will break the ice at the Mavuso Sports Centre where they meet Red Lions at 13:30 on Saturday.
jm/today/21.1.2025
