Africa-Press – Eswatini. With capital city side Mbabane Swallows having clinched the MTN Premier League title, all eyes have turned to the tight race for second place where three teams are within touching distance.
This has indeed turned into an exciting race, including the relegation battle.
Green Mamba, Young Buffaloes and Nsingizini Hotspurs will battle it out for the second spot this weekend. The runners-up position carries a E500 000 cash prize together with silver medals. Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes have huge clashes against Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders, respectively.
Surprise package Nsingizini Hotspurs are currently fourth but just two points separate them from second place Green Mamba. Nsingizini Hotspurs play against the struggling Madlenya.
The Shiselweni-based outfit have a slight advantage for the second spot should the security forces sides both suffer defeats. This is due to the fact that the Alexio Sigion-led men recorded victories against Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes in the second round. This means that the battle for second spot will be a three way battle between Inyok’eluhlazana, ‘Buffs’ and Insingizi Yezulu.
Meanwhile, in the relegation dogfight, the bottom five teams in Ezulwini United, Sea Birds, Moneni Pirates, Manzini Wanderers and Denver Sundowns are all in danger.
The two teams that finish last will be relegated to the National First Division.
Meanwhile Green Mamba head coach Ernest Mavuso was confident that they would maintain the second spot. “After losing the championship, we can’t allow anyone to take the second spot. We will maintain our position,” he said. The coach further congratulated Mbabane Swallows for being the 2023/24 MTN Premier League champions.
“Congratulations go to Mbabane Swallows. They really deserve the league. If it wasn’t us as champions, it was supposed to be them. They fought throughout the season and competed in three cup finals. So yeah, they deserve this one,” he said.
The Correctional Services side have already earned a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup by virtue of being the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup champions.
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