Mbabane Swallows vs Rangers
Killarney Stadium, 3pm
SOCCER – Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows will be keen to redeem themselves with a win over Rangers in the MTN Premier League clash at Killarney Stadium.
The red and white glamour outfit’s inconsistency in the league continued last Sunday as they succumbed to a 1-3 defeat to their rivals Nsingizini Hotspurs at Somhlolo National Stadium and it was their eighth defeat this season.
This time, instead of hosting at the E10 000 per day rental Somhlolo National Stadium, they are taking this home game to the north, about 70 kilometres from the capital city, to Pigg’s Peak Killarney Stadium.
A win over ‘Bolova’ as Rangers are fondly called will see them move to 27 points in the log standings. However, they will be without their key players Njongo Mazibuko and Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati, who picked up injuries last weekend.
Meanwhile, Rangers will be determined to complete a double over the crowd-pulling outfit.
Mthunzi Ginindza’s men are placed fifth in the log standings with 31 points. However, they suffered a setback following a 0-1 defeat to Tabankulu Celtics away last Saturday.
Another win will propel them to 34 points and ensure their safety from relegation.
MBABANE SWALLOWS
Coach: Caleb Ngwenya
Captain: Sandanezwe Mathabela
Key players: Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Ncomo Gina
Match winner: Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala
RANGERS
Coach: Mthunzi Ginindza
Captain: Thabo Mngometulu
Key players: Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Nduduzo Mvakali
Match winner: Thabiso Sithole
Amawele, Leopard in relegation battle
Amawele vs Royal Leopard
Prince of Wales Ground, 3pm
SOCCER – Beaten 1-2 by Moneni Pirates last weekend at Mavuso Sports Centre, police outfit Royal Leopard will have to prove they have the mental fortitude to get back to winning ways.
It is a fact that the 2024/25 MTN Premier League runners-up are going through a tough spell this season, as they find themselves occupying an unfamiliar position in the log standings.
Coach Edwin Matsebula and his team will have to look at this fixture with urgency, eager to get a win.
They have to convince the local football fraternity that they remain a formidable side despite the slump.
For Royal Leopard players, this match will be more about their psychological prowess.
Can they do it?
On the other hand, Amawele have their tails up after defeating Ezulwini United 1-0 at the same venue last weekend.
The rookies, who have turned Prince of Wales into their fortress, will be aiming for maximum points in their bid to escape relegation.
AMAWELE
Coach: Mduduzi ‘Sikhalo’ Nxumalo
Captain: Bonginkosi Simelane
Key players: Mhlengi Mngomezulu, Lihle Mnisi
Match winner: Hlobisani Maphanga
ROYAL LEOPARD
Coach: Edwin Matsebula
Captain: Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini
Key players: Lungelo Tsabedze, Felix Badenhorst
Match winner: Junior Magagula
Nsingizini out to extend lead
Nsingizini Hotspurs vs Malanti Chiefs
King Sobhuza II Stadium, 3pm
SOCCER – Nsingizini Hotspurs will have another opportunity to open the gap at the top of the MTN Premier League log in their match this afternoon, with Mandla Qhogi and his team having made their intentions clear about defending the title this season.
For their 21st match of the campaign, Insingizi Ye Zulu, as they are fondly known, will welcome Malanti Chiefs aiming to maintain their winning record.
The defending champions asserted their dominance by defeating capital city giants Mbabane Swallows 3-1 in their own backyard last Sunday.
South African international Senzo ‘Mbhobho’ Ndlovu has proved his class since joining the team during the January transfer window.
With seven appearances, the striker has netted six goals, thus joining the race for the Golden Boot Award and will be hard for Malanti to stop.
Meanwhile, the northern Hhohho outfit will travel to Nhlangano this afternoon looking to get back to winning ways against the log leaders.
Beaten 0-1 by Ubombo Sugar at Killarney Stadium last Sunday, Malanti Chiefs are eager to turn the tide.
With the gold and black outfit moving down towards the bottom of the log, Sreten is worried that the hard work they put in at the start of the season could be going down the drain.
NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS
Coach: Mandla Qhogi
Captain: Kingsely Kwayki
Key players: Quality Dlamini, Thubelihle Mavuso
Match winner: Senzo ‘Mbhobho’ Ndlovu
MALANTI CHIEFS
Coach: Sreten Pavlovic
Captain: Sifiso Makhubu
Key players: Sandile Hlatshwako, Sandile Mazibuko
Match winner: Isaac Yeboah
Additional Context
The MTN Premier League title race and relegation battle continue to intensify as teams enter the latter stages of the season. While Nsingizini Hotspurs are pushing to extend their lead at the top of the log, clubs such as Amawele and Malanti Chiefs are fighting to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.
