RELEGATION candidates in the MTN Premier League are bracing themselves for a gruelling start to the second round as Matchweek 16 throws up daunting fixtures for teams fighting to avoid the drop this weekend.
Bottom-placed Manzini Wanderers face another stern examination when they take on fifth-placed Rangers FC at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday. Rooted at the foot of the log with just seven points from 15 matches, the once-mighty Weslians are under immense pressure to turn their fortunes around. However, Rangers arrive as firm favourites, having enjoyed a solid first round that saw them remain within touching distance of the top four. Wanderers will be seeking revenge after Rangers collected maximum points when the two sides met earlier in the season. With survival now the primary objective, Wanderers’ technical team is expected to demand a spirited response from a side that has managed only one league win so far and boasts the worst goal difference in the division.
At the same venue earlier on Sunday, second-from-bottom Ubombo Sugar face an equally tough assignment against in-form Mbabane Swallows in what serves as the curtain-raiser. Ubombo Sugar sit 15th on the log with nine points and know that any slip-ups at this stage of the season could prove costly.
Swallows, meanwhile, appear to be peaking at the right time. The Birds are fresh from back-to-back morale-boosting victories over Mbabane Highlanders and log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs, results that lifted them to seventh position with 22 points. Their recent resurgence has marked them as one of the most dangerous sides in the league, particularly against teams struggling at the bottom.
Elsewhere, Amawele, who are just outside the automatic relegation zone, host giants Mbabane Highlanders at Prince of Wales Sports Ground on Saturday. Amawele are desperate to widen the gap between themselves and the bottom two while Highlanders will be eager to rediscover consistency after an indifferent first round.
Sisonkhe FC, also dragged into the relegation battle, welcome ninth-placed Royal Leopard at KaLanga Technical Centre on Sunday, while Malanti Chiefs travel to Mayaluka Stadium to face second-placed Young Buffalos on Saturday in another potential banana skin for a team hovering just above the danger zone.
Log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs have a date with Tambankulu Celtics at King Sobhuza II Stadium on Saturday.
With these being the opening fixtures of the second round, the stakes are already high. For relegation-threatened sides, Matchweek 16 could either provide renewed hope or deepen their troubles as the survival battle intensifies.
