Times Of Swaziland: MAMBA NOT THINKING ABOUT ‘CARROT’ - ERNEST

MAMBA NOT THINKING ABOUT ‘CARROT’ - ERNEST
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Lindokuhle Madlopha on 02/12/2024 13:15:00


MBABANE – “The shock of conceding a goal hits so hard; I’m happy
Nsingizini did not score first.”
These were the words of Green Mamba Head Coach Ernest Mavuso, following his
team’s impressive 2-0 victory over Shiselweni giants Nsingizini Hotspurs, at
King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium, this past weekend. The win has propelled Green
Mamba to the top of the table. Mavuso expressed his joy over the result,
praising his players for their hard work and dedication throughout the match.
Despite their strong performance, he downplayed any immediate thoughts of
securing the championship in the first round.  “Green Mamba are a team
that’s always competitive by nature. However, I wouldn’t say we are already
targeting the championship in this first round. Our main focus was on getting
the three points, and that’s what was crucial for us. I want to thank the boys
for their effort and commitment in bringing home the win,” Mavuso said.
Looking ahead, the coach made it clear that Green Mamba’s goal is to continue
accumulating maximum points in the upcoming fixtures to maintain a strong
position in the league. “Our mandate now is to secure three points in each of
the next games. If those three points help us reach the top of the table, then
we’ll be happy,” Mavuso added. The Green Mamba gaffer also emphasised the
importance of maintaining discipline on the field, highlighting the team’s
commitment to fair play. “At Green Mamba, we do not encourage our players to
concede red cards. If we had it our way, we would always aim to win the ‘fair
play award’ at the end of the season. Losing a player due to a red card
affects the team because each player has a specific role to play,” Mavuso
explained.
Meanwhile, Nsingizini Hotspurs Head Coach Alexio Sigion, expressed
disappointment after his side’s defeat but promised to regroup and focus on
their next challenge. “It was a game of high intensity and a challenging one.
“The boys really pushed, but unfortunately, we did not utilise our chances.
Green Mamba came at us hard in the second half and made the most of their
opportunities. Even though we’re still aiming for the championship, we admit
we didn’t get the result we wanted. There’s no way to defend ourselves here.
We should have taken the three points to stay in the race. But losing is part of
the game, and now we must focus on our next assignment,” he said.The defeat
has not dampened Nsingizini’s spirit, and their coach is determined to ensure
his team bounces back in their upcoming fixtures. “We need to pick up from
where we left off and keep pushing forward,” he concluded.