Hardly after 3 months the topflight and National First Division (NFD) league activities were put on ice in the country, today they returned in action. The games still resumed with still no fans allowed into stadiums but with an alternative to watch selected games through the MTN live stream at https://www.yellohub.co.sz/football/.

All the elite league games were played today on various stadiums across the country and the NFD games will be playing tomorrow. Premier leagues resumed on match week 3 while the NFD will begin on match week 2.

Log leaders Manzini Wanderers continued with their winning streak when they beat Mhlume Peacemakers 2-1. Bogandaganda as Peacemakers are affectionately know are still in search of the first win this season.

Mbabane Swallows on the other note who started the season on a low form despite returning to pre-season preparations ahead of the other teams beat Milling Hotspurs 3-0 while correctional side Green Mamba beat new comers Tambankulu Callies 1-0.

Mbabane Highlanders played a 2-2 draw with Lobamba based outfit Tinyosi FC while Black Swallows and Denver Sundowns played a 2-2 draw as well at Killerney Stadium. Tambuti and Manzini Sea Birds played a goalless draw while the forces encounter between Young Buffaloes and Royal Leopards was deferred.

NEXT GAMES ON MONDAY

The elite league games return with an interesting fixtures during the Easter Monday holiday. Log leaders Manzini Wanderers will be hosting Young Buffaloes at Mavuso Sports Centre at 1 pm. This game will be followed by Manzini mini-derby between Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns at 4 pm.

Down in Nhlangano at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium, Green Mamba will cross swords with Mbabane Swallows. This game will be preceded by a game between Tambankulu Callies and Malanti Chiefs.

Other matches include a double header at Tambankulu Stadium where Manzini Sea Birds will play Mhlume Peacemakers at 1300 hrs and Tambuti FC visiting Royal Leopards at 4 pm. There is a single match on Tuesday at Mavuso Sports Centre where Mbabane Highlanders will be visited by Milling Hotspurs.

WINDOW PERIOD OPENS

The final window period for 2021/2022 season opens on Monday. Teams will be allowed to beef up their squad for the season but quite disturbing is that how can the teams know which areas need to be reinforced as with only three games played so far. At least, it ought to have waited if possible until the teams finish the first round.

Its bit worrying to that the teams need to add numbers of players unsure of the capability of the teams pockets as they are already strained by this COVID 19. The teams already had sign many players in case most of the teams players test positive of the virus and the two-weeks mandatory tests for players is also a huge burden for teams to carry.

Another mind bottling question is where would these teams recruit these players from? Will they cripple the NFD teams or we will see the flocking of international players in the country with the fact that grassroots development leagues in the country have been defunct over year for now since called off last year.

After the COVID 19 pandemic’s ugly fingers stroke the beautiful peaceful and stable Kingdom of Eswatini, football activities were suspended and thereafter, sports especially soccer in the country became like a brother in prison-one loved it but didn’t really want to speak about it!
Amidst this pandemic, it has become inevitable that the resistance of our frail local football industry has ended. Like a marie biscuit dumped in a very hot coffee, it is crumbling.
In just 8 months, that is August 2020 – March 2021, the 2019/2020 football season has been nullified; Eswatini embarrassed in COSAFA U-17s for fielding over aged players, forfeited all stadiums for international assignments and most fundamentally, managed to honour only 2 national match week fixtures/games in a year.
Anyways, accolades to Chief Ally Kgomongwe and Bishop Bheki Lukhele at least one has something to talk about whenever football matters are discussed. At least the animosity between the Mbabane arch-rivals has brought some much anticipated development in local football where teams own property. Hopefully, the other teams will be copy cats!
Today when zooming back in March last year when sporting activities were banned due to COVID 19 outbreak in the country, certain one is convinced that the sports industry is seeing unprecedented digression. There are freeze and thaw in MTN PLE games which now has made one uncertain if the leagues will be completed in 3 months when it is currently at match week 2 while COVID 19 third wave is by the door.
Grass roots development leagues such as regional, zonal and promotional leagues have been neglected for more than a year now. Moreover, Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Charity Cup, Ingwenyama Cup and Eswatini Bank Cup are just good as a hallucination this season.
May this mean that by the time COVID 19 expires, we might not be having football sponsorships like the international accredited stadiums in the country?
EVENTS CALENDAR
March 2020: Government declares a COVID 19 a national emergency in the country starting with a 3 weeks national partial lockdown which was effectively 21 March 2020. This called for sporting activities to be suspended to be suspended for the immediate future in the country. The MTN Premier League was abandoned with 8 games remaining while also the Eswatini Bank was at its quarter finals.
August: after a chain of partial lockdown, government relaxed its COVID 19 regulations of which the sports fraternity benefited as topflight football and NFD football activities were allowed to resume.
August 21: the Eswatini Football Association in a press statement decides to nullify the 2019/2020 football season with Young Buffaloes and Tambankulu Callies declared champions respectively for MTN Premier League and NFD by virtue of being at the summit of their logs when football activities were suspended in March. Manzini Wanderers Ladies Team was also given championship in the Women Football League and they were supposed to represent the country in the maiden CAF Women’s Champions League.
EFA also ruled that there shall be no relegation of teams with two NFD champions Tambankulu Callies and runners-up Tinyosi FC being promoted to elite league making it a sixteen-tier league while NFD has 14 teams as there was no relegation to.
September 19: Denver Sundowns boss Mark Carmichael is elected Premier League of Eswatini Chairman. The PLE executive members are Sipho Tsetla Bhembe of NFD’s team Vovovo FC, Malanti Chiefs Victor Rodriguez, Charles Matsebula of Black Swallows and Rudolf Matsenjwa from Tambuti FC.
November: football activities in the country resumed with Sihlangu Semnikati hosting Congo Brazzaville on 12 November at Mavuso Sports Centre and lose 0-2. They played a goalless draw on November 16 away in Congo Brazziville. The already eliminated Eswatini is rock bottom in their group with a single point and they are to play Guinea Bissau on 26 March before their last game against Senegal away on March 30.
Also junior national teams also participate in the regional COSAFA Tournaments in neighbouring South Africa. Eswatini is embarrassed for fielding over aged players in the U-17s tournament and disqualified along aside Botswana, Comoros and Zimbabwe.
December 04: Minister of Commerce, Industry and Trade Manqoba Khumalo announces that the dilapidated Manzini Old Trade Fair Ground is a site for a new multi-million shopping mall. This project was earmarked to begin this year.
December 12: the 2020/2021 MTN season resumes with empty stadiums as fans are not allowed into stadiums so to curb the wide spread of COVID 19. Only two weeks match fixture was played before it was abandoned to the present day. Elite league played their first and second fixture while NFD honoured week two of their calendar.
December 28: PLE games are postponed for two weeks to give way to Incwala Ceremony and testing of players of the COVID 19 virus. Unfortunately when this 2 weeks elapses, the country is already in two weeks national partial lockdown which began on 08 January. Over this period of national lockdowns, only continental games are allowed under special request from government.
February 04: acquisition of ex-Mbabane Swallows Mercedes Benz 22 seater sprinter by Mbabane Highlanders boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe in an auction sale conducted Rexy’s Investment. The sprinter was sold at a reserve price of E270 000 and Ally became the highest bidder at E355 000.
February 27: Bishop Bheki Lukhele announces the arrival of a new 2020 Mercedes Benz sprinter bought and branded in South Africa under the ownership of Mbabane Swallows FC.
March 02: Eswatini Football Association announces that the Confederation of African Football has banned the use of Mavuso Sports Centre to host international games. These leaves the country without any venue to play international games since the Somhlolo National Stadium was also banned by CAF back in 2017/2018 season and is currently at phase one out of three phases of its refurbishment.
March 18: the government announces the reopening of selected sporting activities. Topflight football and NFD is permitted to resume as well as junior and senior national teams activities. Women Football League, promotional, regional and zonal leagues are still put on ice.
QTN FOR THE WEEK
Can’t the multi-millions cash that will be used to construct a new mall at the Old Trade Fair Ground be used to construct a new stadium in the country?

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has ruled Mavuso Sports Centre no-longer fit to host international games.
According to a press statement released by Eswatini Football Association (EFA), CAF says the pitch is considered poor standard and has sub-standard dressing rooms.
The press statement further says that CAF recommended the stadium needs to be fully modernised to host international games.
Worth noting is that Mavuso Exhibition and Sport Centre has been an alternative to host international games after Somhlolo National Stadium who is currently refurbished was also ruled unfit by CAF back in 2017.
According to the press release, EFA bemoans the inconvenience caused by this CAF ruling as the country was supposed to host Guinea Bissau in African Cup Qualifiers probably on 26 March 2021.
This CAF ruling as it stands means that Eswatini now has no international accredited or recognized stadium to host international matches. In the meantime government integrate the stadiums, the country will host its home matches outside the country.

STADIUMS IN THE COUNTRY
Eswatini has 8 playgrounds which are used to host official league and tournament national games. Out of these stadiums, only two were international accredited being Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre which are all currently banned.
The other stadiums are Prince of Wales, King Sobhuza Memorial Stadium, Mayaluka Stadium, Killerney, Nsukwansukwa, and Mhlume Stadium. Back, there was the Manzini Club which was also used to play game.
The 1950’s dilapidated Old Trade Fair Ground will be converted to build a multi-million shopping complex. Worth noting is that most of the stadiums lack proper infrastructure such as dressing rooms, grand stands and are un-skirted.

FANS REACTIONS
Andile Dlamini: …it’s time for our government to build a stadium. The phase of building a stadium next to the existing Mavuso solo kwema.
Nhlanhla Fakudze: FIFA aslo uyasikhangeta timali sibusy sitifaka emajobeni. There is a need for a fully investigation kulama FIFA grants ikakhulu lelephuma ngemnyaka kutsiwe yekwakwa stadium.
Phumelela Deej Simelane: From 1968…. Nineteen Sixty Eightttt… its more than 50 years but the development in Eswatini it’s like Eswatini is 10 years old.
Sifiso Ndlovu Trevor: Yaah this is painful so now we have to lose more money hosting outside the country. Imali iphelela lapha Ezulwini ICC and Fish.
Njabulo Khumalo: Kwavalwa Somhlolo 2017 until now solo abacabangi kwakwa a new stadium….Iyaphi lemali lebuya kuFIFA.
Mthunzi Mamba: Sikuphi sidzingo sekulungisa Somhlolo and King Sobhuza Memorial kube wati kamhlophe ute sabelo kuye. FA ingashintji indlela labacabanga ngayo kute lapho siya khona. Kute live lelingehlulwa ku hosta iCOSAFA lelinebaholi labaphilile kahle.
Mzoro Mnguni: Lo it was once revealed dat a wonderful stadium in Prince of Wales …. with about 25 000 sits…what happened next…

In the midst of the tough economic crunch during this period of COVID 19 pandemic, Mbabane Swallows president Bheki Lukhele has bought a brand new Mercedes Benz sprinter for the team.
Speaking on national radio this morning, Lukhele said he has bought the sprinter for Mbabane Swallows club and thus the sprinter is not under his ownership but belongs to Mbabane Swallows Football Club.
Lukhele further said the sprinter is a 2020 Mercedes Benz model. The president said he bought on cash sale and the sprinter comes fully branded in the Mbabane Swallows colours.
Worth noting is that Mbabane Swallows will now have two sprinters following that they still have the Iveco sprinter that Lukhele came with when he joined Mbabane Swallows.Lukhele found Eswatini Bank having repossessed their Mercedes Benz that the late Mbabane Swallows used during the reign of the late boss Victor Gamedze.
Currently the repossessed sprinter was owned by Mbabane Highlanders after buying it in auction sale early this year. Lukhele made it clear that when he leaves, he will go with his Iveco Bus leaving the new sprinter behind for Mbabane Swallows as mark that will be reminding them of his leadership.
Images of this new sprinter started making rounds across social media as early in the morning despite Swallows boss saying the sprinter will arrive before the end of the day.
After 8 pm, pictures of the sprinters parked in what is believed to be Mbabane Swallows garage together with the Iveco bus were circulated confirming its arrival.

FANS REACTION CORNER
WANDILE SIBUSISO MOTSA:
‘‘I feel great because I am the team supporter and secondly because am a soccer fan. We need people like Mr Lukhele and Mr Ally (sorry for including him) to run Soccer teams, people who will invest and find sponsors for local teams. I pray for more people like them.’’
COLANI DLAMINI:
‘‘I feel so grateful about the mini-bus that Mr Lukhele has bought 4 the team. More than anything else that it’s a property 4 Mbabane Swallows in de presence of Mr Lukhele or not.
It’s my first time to see such things in Swazi football. I can see that for Mbabane Swallows to lose the bid at the auction it was a blessing in disguise! We need such leaders in our football. I beg 4 de Mbabane Swallows family to support the leadership of Mr Lukhele and co. God bless the Arch Bishop.’’
MUZI MTSETFWA (NYAMBOSE): NGWANE PARK F.C. C.E.O.
‘‘Beside balandzeli let me congratulate Swallows boss for such kulebhola yetfu and Mbabane Highlanders for buying Mbabane Swallows sprinter (ex-sprinter) at that prize.
Lesikudzingako ebholeni sidzinga competition among clubs and what is being done by the two teams improve the standard of football in the country. Kube labaphatsi balamacembu bayabona kutsi kwentiwani njani, each team leka Premier nayingaba na well branded bus for its players singatfokota sibalandzeli.
Mnaketfu yati we had Victor in the country kute lakwentele licembu. He had a lot of money but yini ye Swallows layishiyile? Did he build a club house for his team? Did he buy a bus for the club or any investment for the club… A big no!
But it’s my first time in this country to see a leader itsi itsenga nayi new bus for the club nangihamba ngiyayishiya. Sibabonile labanye bawatsenga baphindze bawatsatsa naye wa-Gamedze sprinter sakhe now is not with Mbabane Swallows. Madlenya house is not owned by Mbabane Swallows. For the first time, the club will own a new branded sprinter.
To the supporters you have to celebrate for having such a leader labanengi bamtfukile bambita ngako konkhe but mine çela kwehluka sibuke naku lokuhle lakwentile cz by doing such usita the other clubs because nawo atofuna kutsi atsenge atsi is for the team not under my leadership, by that way lama clubs will benefit.

Lastly please balandzeli asiwa support lama leaders etfu singawalwisi. Yes we are after results but if a leader ye club yakho ingawatfoli ema results lamahle bukani lokuhle lakwantela le club bese nibonga loko kutsi even though singawini kahle but the club has some property.’’
Kitsi tsine ema clubs etfu langakhoni kwenta naku lokwentiwa Swallow and Highlanders asambeni siyohlala phansi sente i-drawing board on what can we do to match the standard of these clubs sibuye sicela our supporters to support that vision ibhola itfutfuke.

Young Buffaloes this week began their preparations for their CAF Confederation’s game against Tunisia’s Etoile de Sahel. The game will be played on Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre. Kick off time is 3pm.

Amathole resumed training this week following a group training ban emphasized by Eswatini Football Association since government announced the first 2 weeks partial lockdown on January 08. Government last week approved Amathole’s request to return training for their CAF assignment as local football is still on ice.

ONE YEAR NEW CONTRACT FOR SIHLANGU COACH

This week Eswatini Football Association renewed senior national team, Sihlangu Semnikati coach Dominic Kunene’s contract. Anthony Mdluli who has been the goalkeeper coach has been promoted to be an assistant coach following the demise of Gcina Magiyane Dlamini due to COVID 19 who was Kunene’s assistant.

Mbabane Highlanders ‘ legend Sipho Dube has been roped into the technical team as a goalkeeper coach. This new technical team amongst other assignments will guide the already eliminated Sihlangu Semnikati in 2022 Africa Cup Qualifiers against Guinea-Bissau on 26th March and Senegal on March 30 this year.

EFA hands E540 000 TO PLE

Eswatini Football Association has handed over about E540 000 to the Premier League of Eswatini. This money is expected to help teams deal with COVID 19.

This money is said to be part of the money released by FIFA last year to help struggling leagues. EFA is said to have received E16.5M and US$500 000 monetary injection of which the later goes towards women football.

MBABANE HIGHLANDERS BUYS EX-MBABANE SWALLOWS SPRINTER

Chief Ally Kgomongwe, Highlanders boss was the highest bidder on Tuesday during the auction sale of former Mbabane Swallows Mercedes Benz 22-seater Sprinter which was repossessed by Eswatini Bank. The sprinter which was owned by the late Mbabane Swallows boss Victor Gamedze was repatriated by the bank allegedly due to breach of purchase contract.

The sprinter was sold at a reserve price of E270 000 and Ally bided E355 000 bieng the highest bidder. Worth noting is that the incumbent Mbabane Swallows boss Bheki Lukhele also bided the sprinter at the auction sale where he came short of Ally with E5 000 bidding E350 000.

BIG GUNS CRASH OUT OF NEDBANK CUP

The NEDBANK Cup Last 32 which was played this week saw South Africa’s giant teams kissing the dust in the tournament. Today, Kaizer Chiefs bowed out of the tournament to second placed National First Division Richards Bay FC with 1-2.

Yesterday, Cape Town City cruised through Bloemfontein Celtics with a 4-0 while on Friday, TTM knocked out Supersport United with a solitary goal. Other DSTV Premiership teams that have crashed out include Golden Arrows, Stellenbosch.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE

Manchester City is ten points clear from league holders Liverpool FC after thrashing Liverpool 4-1 today at Anfiled Stadium. City is at the summit of the log with a game in hand with 5 points clear from strong contenders Manchester United. In 22 games, Manchester City has 50 points while Manchester United has 45 points in 23 games. Third placed is Leicester City with 43 points and Liverpool with 40 points at position 4.

LA LIGA

There was little action over this weekend with more games playing as the week progresses. Yesterday, Athletic Club and Valencia played a 1-1 draw and Osasuma beats Eibar 2-1. By the time compiling this report, Real Betis was leading Barcelona with a solitary goal.

La Liga log table is interesting indeed with league dull horses Atletico Madrid are at the summit with 50 points in 19 games. Real Madrid is second placed with 43 points in 21 games and Sevilla is third phlaced with 42 points in same number of games. Barcelona completes the top four bracket with 41 points while trailing behind in their 22nd game of the league.

Sprinter Renew Swords of Rivalry Between the Mbabane Giants

The acquisition of ex-Mbabane Swallows sprinter by arch-rivals Mbabane Highlanders has renewed the rivalry contracts between these two traditional football rivals. On Tuesday, Mbabane Highlanders boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe was the highest bidder when the 22- seater Mercedes Benz which was repossessed by Eswatini Bank shortly after the death of staunch Mbabane Swallows boss Victor Maradona Gamedze died in 2018.

Quite interesting is that this Mbabane Swallows boss Bheki Lukhele was part of the bidders but came short as he put E350 000 while Kgomogwe put E355 000. So this successful acquisition of the former Mbabane Swallows sprinters by their rivals has teased hostile debates among social media, dividing the it into hostile camps with some fans of the view that Kgomogwe is moneyed than Lukhele.

This debate has been fuelled by fact that Mbabane Swallows has slashed its players’ salaries with 25% while Mbabane Highlanders players’ salaries remain untouched over this period of the partial lockdown. The battle however started playing itself in actual sense back in the pre-season. This was when most ex-Mbabane Swallows stars signed in the black dotted line.

One of this which even today does not sit well with the Red and White ensemble fans is their former physical trainer Siyabonga Bhembe who upon returning from coaching relegated South African Mvela National First Division Mbombela United had a short stay at Mbabane Swallows like a sneeze and joined Mbabane Highlanders.

Sabelo Sikhali Ndzinisa who also had been banned for two years by SAFA in playing football after found guilty of signing for TS Sporting and Mbombela United in last season came resurfaced in Mbabane Swallows. Mbabane Highlanders appealed Ndzinisa’s case and he was eligible to play by the beginning of this local season in December last year.

Another Mbabane Swallows’ stars who don the Black and White outfit are Xolani Papi Sikhondze from Mozambique’s side XXXX and midfielder Sibonginkhosi Gudas Dlamini. All these levelled against Mbabane Swallows leadership where they were unable to secure the service of their ex-players has left the Mbabane Swallows fans burning with indignation as their last meeting with Mbabane Highlanders, they were lose that game.

The only alternative left out to for Swallows to convince its fans is to let the Bulls’ head roll when they cross swords on week 9 of the MTN Premier League fixture. So far there is nothing convincing that that can make Swallows fans certain that their team will be able to turn tables when the day commeth judging by the sub-standard performance of the Birds. The Birds are position 10 in the log with a single point while Mbabane Highlanders are number five with 4 points. Swallows after the two games played so far played a goalless draw with holding Champions of the league Young Buffaloes in the opener of the league and then lose 2-1 to Manzini Wanderers.

Sprinter Renew Rivalry Contract Between the Mbabane Giants

The acquisition of ex-Mbabane Swallows sprinter by arch-rivals Mbabane Highlanders has renewed the rivalry contracts between these two traditional football rivals. On Tuesday, Mbabane Highlanders boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe was the highest bidder when the 22- seater Mercedes Benz which was repossessed by Eswatini Bank shortly after the death of staunch Mbabane Swallows boss Victor Maradona Gamedze died in 2018.

Quite interesting is that this Mbabane Swallows boss Bheki Lukhele was part of the bidders but came short as he put E350 000 while Kgomogwe put E355 000. So this successful acquisition of the former Mbabane Swallows sprinters by their rivals has teased hostile debates among social media, dividing the it into hostile camps with some fans of the view that Kgomogwe is moneyed than Lukhele.

This debate has been fuelled by fact that Mbabane Swallows has slashed its players’ salaries with 25% while Mbabane Highlanders players’ salaries remain untouched over this period of the partial lockdown. The battle however started playing itself in actual sense back in the pre-season. This was when most ex-Mbabane Swallows stars signed in the black dotted line.

One of this which even today does not sit well with the Red and White ensemble fans is their former physical trainer Siyabonga Bhembe who upon returning from coaching relegated South African Mvela National First Division Mbombela United had a short stay at Mbabane Swallows like a sneeze and joined Mbabane Highlanders.

Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa who also had been banned for two years by SAFA in playing football after found guilty of signing for TS Sporting and Mbombela United in last season came resurfaced in Mbabane Swallows. Mbabane Highlanders appealed Ndzinisa’s case and he was eligible to play by the beginning of this local season in December last year.

Another Mbabane Swallows’ stars who don the Black and White outfit are Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze from Mozambique’s side XXXX and midfielder Sibonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini. All these levelled against Mbabane Swallows leadership where they were unable to secure the service of their ex-players has left the Mbabane Swallows fans burning with indignation as their last meeting with Mbabane Highlanders, they were lose that game.

The only alternative left out to for Swallows to convince its fans is to let the Bulls’ head roll when they cross swords on week 9 of the MTN Premier League fixture. So far there is nothing convincing that that can make Swallows fans certain that their team will be able to turn tables when the day commeth judging by the sub-standard performance of the Birds. The Birds are position 10 in the log with a single point while Mbabane Highlanders are number five with 4 points. Swallows after the two games played so far played a goalless draw with holding Champions of the league Young Buffaloes in the opener of the league and then lose 2-1 to Manzini Wanderers.

LOCAL SPORTS

Football activities in communities within the reach of this publication have remained dormant since government implemented the first partial lockdown on January 08, 2020.
Although most sporting activities at local communities were still going on secretively despite government banning them in March last year, communities seemed to have fully abided with government call of no soccer sports activities in the country.
These means that there are no football activities one would expect to find in their respective communities pending the partial lockdown and the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic.

NATIONAL SPORTS

Pending the partial lockdown in the country, there is no football action taking place in both elite and National First Division (NFD).
Group trainings according to Eswatini Football Association are also not allowed.
Premier League games took a break before Christmas with topflight league having played 2 games while the NFD having played a single match.
All eyes and hopes are on the return of football when the 4 weeks national partial lockdown elapses probably on 18 February.

INCASE YOU MISSED IT!!

Manzini Wnderers Ladies Team will be first local women team to partake in the maiden African Women’s Champions league.
Young Buffaloes will enter into a 21 day bubble as they start their preparations for 14 February CAF Confederation’s match against Tunisia’s Etoile du Sahel.
Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows have come out and declared that they will not slash players’ salaries over this period of COVID-19.
Royal Leopards Mfan’zile Fash Dlamini has tested positive of COVID-19 disease.

Mbabane Highlanders will bid for ex-Mbabane Swallows auctioned sprinter.

DSTV PREMIERSHIP

Thembinkosi Lorch has scored his first DSTV goal after 15 games.

The security forces teams have won many MTN League trophies than any other team in the past decade. The security forces teams which are the correctional side ensemble Green Mamba, police side Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes from the army side have won 6 out of 10 trophies all combined.

The reminder has been won by Mbabane Swallows. Royal Leopard has won three trophies being the 2013/2014, 2014/2015 and 2015/2016 seasons consecutively.
Green Mamba won the first decade league title of 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 seasons. Young Buffaloes has a single league title being the last season championship. Buffaloes were awarded the league title after they were at the league summit when it was abandoned in March last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Premier League of Eswatini failed to resume league on August after government allowed the return of soccer activities in the country and preferred to declare champions for both topflight and National First Division leagues.

Beside winning trophies, these teams dominate in other tornaments.in most cases, two if not all of them usually end the season amongst the top 4 on the log standings. They also command respect in also the other knockout tournaments as rarely a forces teams do not reach the final, and most times if they do, they become emphatic.

MBABANE SWALLOWS HAS BEEN RESILENT

Mbabane Swallows has over the years proven to be a tough competitor of the forces team. Swallows have won many league titles than any team in the past years winning 2011/2012, 2012/2013, 2016/2017 and 2017/2018 seasons’ trophies.
The Mbabane giants also boost of Ingwenyama Cup in their cabinet as they have won a treble of it while also winning as many EswatiniBank and Eswatini Post and Telecommunications Charity Cup titles.

The team while still under the leadership of the late boss Victor Gamedze also made trends across the African continent in the CAF Champions league where they were eliminated in Group Stages after uprooting some continental big guns such as AC Leopards in 2017.

CALL TO DO AWAY WITH FORCES TEAMS

Over the years, some fans have felt that Green Mamba, Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes must be excluded from major leagues and tournaments in the country. The charge levelled against them was that they were killing competition and local football in the country.
The veracity of those accusations still stand to be tested over the years as these teams players have dominated in the national team squad and currently the senior national team is a former Young Buffaloes coach.
One might also recall reknowned Sihlangu coach Francis Mkhulu Banda who built a strong national team in the first decade of the century who also doubled as Green Mamba coach. Royal Leopard on the other side is amongst some local teams who have exceptional done well in the continental CAF tournaments back in the years.

If not far from my memory, this could be eventually after the police side scooped a quadruple in one of the seasons. The point of view among football fanatics was that with these forces teams wining every trophy, this dissuaded the other teams as they did not achieve anything in football as the teams’ bosses invest in the clubs with hope that they will get returns if their clubs lift trophies which never happened for years.
Over the period of these forces teams reigning in local football, there ought to be no clear policy guiding the operations, administration and management of these teams as they were believed to get most of the resources needed for a vibrant team from the government.
These teams were believed amongst other things to have using free transport from the forces and also the players’ salaries paid by government by virtue of the players being government employees which is the case even to the present day.
Another thorny issue among the nation was the attitude of these forces teams of crippling the non-forces teams by recruiting their young promising players and stars from the other teams as they lured the players with employment. One may still remember that playing soccer is still not a profession in the country and thus players are desperate for a secure job beyond playing football.
The players exodus from non-forces team has been high in the country such as the Tsabendze twins Lungelo and Fanelo recruited by Royal Leopards from Mbabane Highlanders, Nhlanhla Mshengu Kunene playing for Young Buffaloes from Malanti Chiefs among others.

In the mist of tough economic times amongst local teams during this pandemic, Moneni Pirates FC is allegedly to have bought a bus for the team.

A source close to the matter confided that the mini-bus has already arrived waiting to be unveiled in the immediate future.

This could be probably when football returns after pending extended partial lockdown which has resulted to football activities to be called off in the country.

[Developing story]