MBABANE (10 MAY 2025): Who can possibly stop Shiselweni side, Nsingizini Hotspurs from running away with the MTN 2024-25 Premier League championship cup. Certainly this is unlikely to be Mbabane Highlanders who will certainly try at the Mavuso Trade Centre tomorrow.
With only 3 games short of wrapping up the League, it now all looks downhill for the team from the Shiselweni hinterland that has become the nightmare of the elite league. Though they indicated their intentions to cruise to the front very early in the season, it was almost unbelievable that minnows would rise to the top and become the first credible challengers to dethrone the disciplined forces who have dominated the Kingdom’s soccer in like forever.
Ordinarily, tomorrow would be a delicate touch and go, and for Nsingizini. They certainly badly need the 3 points from Highlanders if they are to keep their title dreams alive.
Two birds, one stone
Nsingizini must make sure to beat Mbabane Highlanders for another important reason. Beating Highlanders will kill two birds with one stone. Those 3 points will make sure Nsingizini maintain the 2 points distance in front of their closest challenger, Royal Leopards. The points against Mbabane Highlanders will mean everything because should they slip and fall, Leopards who will leap uncomfortably closer to the top of the table. As things stand, they are almost certain to return armed with all 3 points from their game with Madlenya FC at Simunye. Should they lose, with their 3 new points, the police will move to pole position to leapfrog over them. Even a draw will be little consolation.
If history will repeat itself, Nsingizini should make easy pie of the Mbabane giants. They have already established a reputation for beating the Bull – thrashing them 2-1 in the first round. Before then, Nsingizini has come out on top during the 2023-2024 season when they drew with Highlanders in the first round then returned to trounce them in the second round.
The evergreen team from somewhere between Lavumisa and Hluthi has enjoyed an excellent almost unbeaten run for the longest of time.
Just last weekend, they thrashed Mbabane Swallows with a convincing 3-1 drubbing. At least Swallows are one of the few that have been able to find the net behind Felizwe Vilakati, a goalkeeper that has conceded only 6 goals – the least goals in the Premier League.
Nsingizini makes winning look so simple that it is easy to forget that they only ascended to the Premier League barely three years ago.
Fearsome giant killers
Today they are fearsome giant killers who this season surprised everyone with their energy and focus on the big prize. No one has escaped their wrath. They have crushed the weak and humbled the strong.
In the MTN First round they started with Premier League stalwarts and Manzini giants, thrashing Moneni Pirates 2-0. Madlenya FC who are close to the exit gate of the Premeir League probably never recovered from a crushing 4-0 by Nsingizini. They sent the then Ngwenyama Cup defending champions, Green Mamba packing 1-0; but the Mambas returned on top with a 2-0 revenge in the second round.
Though they showed some respect to Mbabane Swallows with a 0-0 draw, Nsingizini returned to show who is the boss by drubbing them 3-1 last weekend.
Illovo spoiled their reputation by beating Nsingizini 2-1 in the first round. For that they paid dearly when Nsingizini returned and thrashed them 4-0 in Round 2.
They also whipped the army side, Young Buffaloes 1-0.
All downhill from here
Who can possibly stop Nsingizini from becoming MTN Premier League 2024-2025 Champions. The much-decorated Mbabane Highlanders will certainly try, and possibly fail tomorrow.
Past Mbabane Highlanders, the road starts to look like a downhill cruise for Nsingizini. On their way, they only have Lavumisa side, neighbours Rangers and Northern Hhohho side, Sidvwashini United. Both have learnt their manners and must be at their best behaviour against Nsingizini who have bullied them 2-1 and 2-0 respectively.
Sometimes soccer has its surprises. On some rare instances, the gods of the game will throw a spanner from the heavens and spoil even the best laid plans. For now, they look in a gamely mood, enjoying the sport.
Jm/today/10.05.2025
