HALFWAY THROUGH Y’ELLO LEAGUE FIRST ROUND…

By Chris Dlamini

The tune changes this weekend in the MTN Premier League.

With matchweek eight coming up this weekend, it marks the first half of the first round. It is anticipated that the focus shifts from just being about collecting maximum points, but the first-round leaders’ incentive of E120,000.

Interesting fixtures to mark the resumption of the ‘carrot’ race are on offer. The highlight of them all is the top two teams in the standings, Manzini Sea Birds and Nsingizini Hotspurs. They are set to face off at King Sobhuza II Stadium this weekend.

Only one point separates them. The defending champions know that only a win takes them to the apex of the league table.

Any other result could see them dropping out of the top four as their close rivals are only just two points behind them. That is Young Buffaloes and Ezulwini United, who have 13 points, while fifth and sixth-placed Tabankulu Celtics and Rangers have 12 points.

“It was important for us to be consistent from our mid-week win against Malanti Chiefs. We got all the points and now we’ll take a short break, then return on Tuesday for preparations against Sea Birds,” said Mandla Qhogi, Nsingizini head coach, after their narrow 1-0 win against Moneni Pirates in Nhlangano on Saturday.

Qhogi, however, raised one concern as the only red flag ahead of meeting a fired-up Sea Birds.

“I’m a little bit disappointed about our substitutes. Each time we introduce them, our game goes down, and that’s something we need to fix,” he said.

He said they had to improve on that. The South African coach said they had a tough win against Moneni as their second half showing slowed down when they had done well in the opening half.

He further thanked their 12th man for rallying behind the team. He will need their energy when they host Sea Birds, who are proving a tough nut to crack this season.

There was no immediate comment from Sea Birds, who sit at the summit on 16 points to Nsingizini’s 15 after seven games.

Meanwhile, other fixtures that involve hopefuls for the first-round cash will see sixth-placed and in-form Rangers away to Mbabane Highlanders, rookies Tabankulu Celtics against Green Mamba, and Ezulwini United taking on Young Buffaloes.

Other exciting fixtures will see Mbabane Swallows visit Sisonkhe, Moneni Pirates take on Malanti Chiefs. The full fixture, as per the PLE Master Schedule, is included in the article.

MTN Premier League Matchweek 8:

T. Celtics vs. G. Mamba
M. Highlanders vs. Rangers
M. Pirates vs. M. Chiefs
U. Sugar vs. R. Leopard
Sisonkhe vs. M. Swallows
Ns. Hotspurs vs. M. Sea Birds
Amawele vs. M. Wanderers
Ez. United vs. Y. Buffaloes