By Chris Dlamini
R. Leopard………(1) 1,
Junior 10th
Ns. Hotspurs…….(0) 0,
Police side Royal Leopard finally got their revenge when they edged their hoodoo rivals Nsingizini Hotspurs.
Leopard earned all three points to kick-start their MTN Premier League 2024/25 sesson with a win.
Midfielder Junior Magagula’s goal 10 minutes into the match saw Leopard record their first win over the Shiselweni side in five league meetings over three seasons.
The season opening match for both sides was played at Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini. Leopard’s best was a goalless draw last season.
Otherwise, three defeats of 3-1, 1-0, and 1-0 spanning back to 2022/23. The result saw Leopard live up to their promise to collect all maximum points this time around as they target the league title.
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He had said that during their prematch media briefing, they were going all out and confident of fixing things against their hoodoo side.
Leopard had recently been knocked out from the onset in the 8 Bet Trade Fair Cup by runners-up Moneni Pirates.
Meanwhile, Nsingizini lost in the semi-finals of the Trade Fair Cup to Moneni. They had also come from their maiden TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup where they played against South Africa’s Stellenbosch FC at Moses Mabhida, Durban.
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It was not a successful debut as they lost 3-0 and 5-0 to crash out with an 8-0 aggregate. Nsingizini had further finished third last season, proving to be quite a side to be reckoned with.
Meanwhile, both teams have made marquee signings, with Leopard having Felix Badenhorst from Swallows. Nsingizini signed Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini from Swallows as well, among others.
The result means Insingizi Yezulu started the season without a point, while Leopard bagged three points.
