Africa-Press – Eswatini. Young Buffaloes and Royal Leopard are approaching today’s main MTN Premier League title races with major setbacks.
The security forces teams, sitting fourth and third on the charts respectively, are tied at 38 points with the defending champions, Green Mamba. They are just two points behind Mbabane Swallows at the summit. The police side will face Green Mamba without the services of their key centre-back, Simanga Masangane.
Ban
The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has imposed a two-match ban on the national team Sihlangu’s defenders as well as Madlenya’s defender Mfundo Simelane. This follows the duo’s accumulation of six yellow cards this season, as stated in PLE’s correspondence published on Thursdays.
According to the 2023 MTM PLE Rules and Regulations Article 37 (2), a player who accumulates six yellow cards will be suspended from participation in the next two matches to be played by his team. Masangane will also be sidelined next week when the Matsapha-based side clashes with Moneni Pirates.
On the other hand, the army side will be without the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Goalkeeper of the Season, Mlungisi Nxumalo. Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlamini’s first-choice shot-stopper is on the list of seven players who have been suspended for a single match. The 2019 league champions will face Mbabane Highlanders at KaLanga Technical Centre at 3pm. Meanwhile, Ezulwini United has three players ruled out of the week 22 fixtures.
First-choice
Their first-choice goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula, sharpshooter and Captain Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini and Phiwokuhle Ndzingane would not form part of the squad that will face bottom loggers, Denver Sundowns. In the National First Division (NFD) league, two Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows players, Charles Bawa and Mpendulo Maseko, have received a two-game ban. They will not feature for the team tomorrow during the Pigg’s Peak derby. Malanti Chiefs will host Swallows at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium.
For More News And Analysis About Eswatini Follow Africa-Press
