Times Of Swaziland: ‘NUNU’, ‘RIO’ RULED OUT OF MTN LEAGUE

‘NUNU’, ‘RIO’ RULED OUT OF MTN LEAGUE
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Sanele Jele on 15/10/2022 07:12:00


MBABANE – Capital City giants Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders have
been dealt a blow ahead of their respective games this evening.
This is after Swallows’ Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala and Highlanders’
Sisekelo ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa were declared unavailable for this evening’s
clash against Denver Sundowns and Moneni Pirates, respectively during the double
header billed for Mavuso Sports Centre. Moneni Pirates will be the first to take
centre stage against Highlanders at 6pm, while Denver Sundowns host Mbabane
Swallows at 8pm.
The coaches confirmed during a pre-match interview at Sigwaca House yesterday
their players would not be available. ‘Birds’ Coach Musa Manyatsi said in a
previous game against Young Buffaloes they lost Shabalala and Kingsley Kwaki due
to injuries. “Nunu will not be available while the Kingsley has recovered,”
said the coach.
Highlanders Coach Dumisani ‘DU’ Makhanya said they were having an almost
full squad except for Sisekelo ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa who was still struggling with
his injury. “Look, history will not count in this game and I am hoping that we
claim the maximum points,” he said. Out of the seven past meetings, there were
five draws and two wins for Highlanders.
Available
Asked if Bonginkosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini would be available, he said; “We
have no comment about ‘Manyovu’. I am not going to talk about players who
are not registered yet. I can only talk about those who are available.” Asked
about the ambition of the team, he stated that every team’s dream was to win
the league. “Our goal is to do well and collect as many points as we can,”
he added. Highlanders Captain Khanyakezwe Shabalala said they wanted to do
better than last season. “We have set our own standards last season and we
need to maintain or do exceptionally well,” said the captain. Asked his
personal ambition as last season he was crowned the Goalkeeper of the season, he
said; “My team comes first before my own ambitions. Off course, I want to keep
more clean sheets.”
Meanwhile, Moneni Pirates assistant coach said they were ready for the game.
Meanwhile, the Captain Mbongeni Magagula said despite the injury, he was hoping
that he would be ready on match day. He highlighted that big names would not
count in games like this one. On the other hand, Captain Wonder ‘Samba Jive’
Nhleko said they needed to do better than in their previous game. “In our last
game against Buffaloes we played well only to concede in the last minute. We
need to improve on that and hopefully we do well in our game,” said Nhleko.
Coach Ikarbot Masocha said their target was to finish in a better position than
last season.