Africa-Press – Eswatini. There is very little separating Mbabane Highlanders and Royal Leopard going into the decisive MTN Premier League match between the sides tomorrow at Mavuso Sports Centre.
The two sides meet in a game that will ultimately decide the destination of the E200 000 first round carrot. Highlanders, currently sitting on top of the chasing pack enjoying a point lead over second-placed Leopard, hold the ace coming into this game.
Mathematically, a draw will be good enough for the ‘Black Bull’ to take the first round honours. Games The Mbabane giants have won four of their last five league games, with the 0-1 defeat to Vovovo FC the only blip in what has, otherwise, been an impressive run of good form.
Leopard, though forced to juggle between CAF Cup commitments and domestic games, have also been in their element this season. In their last five games, the police service giants have dropped four points as they lost 3-2 to Moneni Pirates before drawing 2-2 to Vovovo FC while winning all three.
Based on these statistics, odds seem to favour Highlanders. Leopard were involved in the CAF Cup assignment in South Africa (Mbombela Stadium) on Sunday but the club’s Public Relations Officer Frank Hurube is confident that this will not have any impact ahead of their match against Highlanders.
Concerns
This is despite concerns from some of their followers that the Leopard players will be affected by the strain of travelling for the CAF games but Hurube is very relaxed about the situation.
“We will be ready for the game against Mbabane Highlanders and we are not worried about the demands of the CAF games on our players. Yes, these international games are taxing on the players, especially with the travelling but we are used to such situations. We are not worried about our players being tired,” he said.
The long-serving PRO promised football followers of a good game against Highlanders, warning that current form would count for nothing. Highlanders, on the other hand, stepped up their preparations for this game with a trip to Mozambique for a series of friendly matches.
They played against that country’s top flight team Black Bull, who ironically are the current log leaders in the Mozambique Premier Division, just like Highlanders in the MTN league.
Their PRO Mandla Madonsela said the friendly games were aimed at preparing the players for the crunch Leopard game given that local league matches are on hold at the moment.
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