Swallows/Pirates blockbuster clash kicks-off week 15 of Premier League

By Lwazi Dlamini

High-flying Mbabane Swallows will cross swords with in-form Moneni Pirates in the most anticipated clash of ‘Week 15’ of the MTN league on Thursday at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground.

The match, to be played behind closed doors as one of the punishments to Swallows for their fans attacking match officials in the Mbabane Big derby on 17 December 2022, is set for a 3:00 pm kickoff time.

Swallows won the first-round clash against Pirates 1-0 at Mavuso Sports Centre on November 20, 2022, when the leading goal-scorer with eleven goals, Felix Badenhorst scored in the 75th minute. Badenhorst, however, will miss Thursday’s clash after being sent off against Tambuti last Thursday.

According to the fixture programme released by the PLE Football Manager, Petros Vilakati, two double-header fixtures will be staged at Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday and at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Sunday.

Bottom-loggers Seven Dreams, who are having a nightmare maiden season in the elite league, will face struggling Royal Leopard at Mavuso Sports Centre at 2 pm with Denver Sundowns taking on Young Buffaloes at 4:00 pm.

Second, from the bottom, Tambuti FC will cross swords with Madlenya FC AT Mayakuka Stadium on Saturday, starting at 3:00 pm. Log leaders, Green Mamba will visit Tambankulu Callies at Tambankulu Stadium for a 3:00 pm kickoff clash.

On Sunday, all roads lead to Nhlangano where Manzini Sea Birds will face off with in-form Manzini Wanderers at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium at 1:00 pm and then the home side, Nsingizini Hotspurs will attempt to stop their six-match winless streak with a clash against treasure-hunting Mbabane Highlanders at 3:30 pm.

Highlanders won the first-round clash between the two sides 1-0 at Mavuso Sports Centre on 20 November 2022 courtesy of Philani Mkhonto’s 10th-minute penalty.

THE FULL MTN LEAGUE FIXTURE (WEEK 15)

THURSDAY (9/02/2023)

Prince of Wales Sports Ground:
Mbabane Swallows vs Moneni Pirates 3:00 pm

SATURDAY (11/02/2023)

Mayaluka Stadium:
Tambuti FC vs Madlenya FC 3:00 pm
Mavuso Sports Centre:
Seven Dreams vs Royal Leopard 2:00 pm
Denver Sundowns vs Young Buffaloes 4:00 pm
Tambankulu Stadium:
Tambankulu Callies vs Green Mamba 3:00 pm

SUNDAY (12/02/2023)

King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium:
Manzini Sea Birds vs Manzini Wanderers 1:00 pm
Nsingizini Hotspurs vs Mbabane Highlanders 3:30 pm