Landers go for Christmas still perched at summit

Premier League teams have gone for the Christmas break, which normally marks the end of the first half of the season.

Log Position: 1

Coach: Francis ‘Mkhulu’ Banda (before he quit. Zonke Mawelela is the stand-in coach)

Strengths: The ‘Bull’ is undoubtedly the team of the moment. They have a good defence, well-marshalled by Mlungisi ‘Madzala’ Ngubane and Sabelo ‘Shushu’ Shilubane. Besides this, they have a strong midfield and are looking sharp in attack, where Mfanfikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze has been pumping the goals. They also have a brilliant player in Cisse Boungata. He has scored a couple of goals and created some. The team is balanced in all departments, but with the departure of coach, Francis ‘Mkhulu’ Banda, it remains to be seen if the ‘Bull’ can keep up the good run.

Weaknesses: Their most conspicuous weakness is in the goalkeeping department, where the likes of Sanele Tsabedze and Sebenele Malaza feature. These two are not that convincing such that the defence has to always be on its toes to cover up for them. If they had a goalkeeper like Satali Mulife who they easily let go to Malanti Chiefs at the beginning of this season, then they would almost have it all.

Key Player: Mfanfikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze – has been on song for his team in almost every game as he has scored most of the goals.

Log Position: 2

Coach: Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini

Strengths: There is no doubt that their coach is the main strength more than anything else. He has been able to mould the youthful side for three full seasons now, and it is starting to show as the boys are playing well.

Weaknesses: They easily get carried away in their success and it has cost them even where they could have done better. At one point, they beat Malanti Chiefs 3-0 at Rocklands but were whacked 1-3 by the trouble-torn Manzini Wanderers.

Key Player: Bongani Khumalo – has sheer individual brilliance and is the team’s top goal-scorer.

Log Position: 3

Coach: Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe

Strengths: They boast quality players who can turn on the heat at anytime. However, they are yet to play to their full potential. Their main strength is in midfield, where they have Stanford Ncube, Manqoba ‘Dunga’ Kunene, Barnes Mensah and Sandile Mdlovu. When all this ammunition is on fire, the opponents always feel it.

Weaknesses: Whether the players have developed swollen heads or it’s a management problem remains a mystery. The team is just failing to click when it has all the material. The defence has let them down a number of times, especially when Mgonodi Sidell is not there. If they hope to be part of the league race, then they must be consistent in their game and not rely on one defender.

Key Player: Manqoba ‘Dunga’ Kunene – He has scored some crucial goals for the team despite missing a couple of games through injury. His performance has been satisfactory though.

Log Position: 4

Coach: Texan Phiri

Strengths: They have vastly experienced players in all departments. In defence, they have Zweli Msibi, in midfield they have Mphile Tsabedze and in the striking force, they have Salebona Jele and the goal-a-game striker, Sdumo Dlamini. Their physical fitness level cannot be matched and it has helped them, as they have had to score last minute goals to win games.

Weaknesses: Inconsistency has been their main undoing. Their defence has been pathetic at times. If they can fix the defensive problems and also not rely on physical strength but also play some constructive football from one department to the other, then they will be on track.

Key Player: Sdumo Dlamini – has scored all the crucial goals to earn points for his side.

Log Position: 5

Coach: Manfred Chabinga

Strengths: Undoubtedly, they have a big pool of good players to choose from for their games. They have the depth. Most of the players are vastly experienced. They have not had the best of starts though, but still look dangerous when attacking with stars like Mfanzile ‘Fash’ Dlamini, Juries Gama and Mathokoza Thwala. Their midfield is still not up there but with Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mthethwa slowly picking up form, this is another department they are good at.

Weaknesses: The defence has been exposed since the league started. It has committed silly mistakes and one would find it hard believing that it is the same defence Sihlangu used in its Africa Cup of Nations/World Cup 2010 Qualifiers.

Key Player: Mfanzile ‘Fash’ Dlamini – He is among the league’s top goal-scorers and very influential to his team-mates.

Log Position: 6

Coach: Benjamin Chilongo

Strengths: The support they get from the team Director, Dumisani Gumede, is one of their strongest points.

Weaknesses: They cannot defend. The coach has to work on his defence and also ensure all the players can produce, instead of relying on Madinane’s presence. The striking force has also not been convincing enough, otherwise they are a good team.

Key Player: Vusi Madinane – When he plays, the team is capable of causing any upset like they did to Swallows.

Log Position: 7 (8 points)

Strengths: The ‘Weslians’ should thank the experience and astuteness of coach Dumisa ‘Dodge’ Mahlalela that has kept them within five points of log leaders Mbabane Highlanders.

Weaknesses: The administrative problems borne out of the perpetual financial crisis have weakened the team greatly during this half season. Coach ‘Dodge’ Mahlalela has on several times lamented the prospect of having to go to battle without some of his key players, such as Elias Tsabalaka, who were owed money, thus compromising the team’s defence.

Key player: Striker Ndoda Mthethwa has been a revelation in the team this season. The former Lozitha Spurs player has netted five goals in six league games and looks set to challenge for the golden boot award this season.

Log Position: 8 (8 points)

Coach: Chico Joao

Strengths: Sundowns has kept most of the players they had last season and that is working wonders for them. In Barry Steenkamp, Jerome Ntshalintshali, Reagan Steenkamp, Comfort Mkoko have been the team’s heartbeat this season. By their standards Sundowns has not done bad. And reaching the Top Lotto PLS Cup semi finals proved that they can do better. The signing of Shelton Mhlanga and Cameroonian Roger has added value to the team.

Weaknesses: Like they have done in previous seasons, Sundowns are struggling with consistency. This week they are convincing, and the following week they falter. This leaves new coach, Chico Joao, with a huge responsibility to leading the team back to the top four in the country’s pecking order.

Key player: While he defence has been outstanding for the Kappa Boys, but special mention must be made to Barry Steenkamp. He has been vital on the right wing position, in both the MTN League and the Top Lotto/PLS Cup.

Log Position: 9 (7points)

Coach: Francis Banda

Strengths: The hiring of former Mbabane Highlanders coach Francis Banda is on its own, the team’s main strength. Talk of a coach who understands the Correctional Services side like the back of his palm. His second spell in the team would surely spur the players on. And his vast experience would come handy in taking the team to their yesteryears glory.

Weaknesses: The team has become predictable by virtue of recycling one and the same players. They started the season on fire but, along the way they have withered. It is a wonder that the team still relies heavily on the likes of Maxwell ‘Dunga’ Zikalala, Mphushana Manyatsi, Mbuso Gina and Njabuliso Simelane, the same team they paraded enroute to winning the maiden SwaziBank Cup in 2004. Banda would have to groom new players to give these players competition.

Key player: Veteran Maxwell Zikalala has been the team’s vital cog in the belly of the park. That is despite that age is quickly catching up with the former Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers player.

Log Position: 10 (6 points)

Coach: Frank ‘The Horse’ Maziya

Strengths: They made good signings in Ghanaian centre-back Nana Ayeuw, but the workaholic player seems to be surrounded by a bunch of disinterested players. Another notable servant in the Siteki Maulers camp this first half of the season, has been veteran Doctor Nxumalo. He has been key in ensuring that the team at least gets the six points thus far in the league.

Weaknesses: Firing Zimbabwean coach Philip Mbofana under unclear reasons has proven to be suicidal for the team. No coach would survive there, if the nonsensical ‘player power’ syndrome is allowed to thrive in the team. Maziya has been a victim of the team’s sickness already. It is time management did something about discipline in the team, lest they taste relegation this season.

Key player: Doctor Nxumalo has been marvelous so far, scoring crucial goals for his under-performing side. He would need to shed off some few kilos though if he is to maintain his good form.

Log Position: 11 (6 points)

Coach: Harris ‘Madze’ Bulunga

Strengths: By their standard, Inkiliva have had a good first half of the season. Winning the inaugural Top Lotto/PLS Cup about 10 days ago, was the highlight of the season already. It is their tactical discipline that has made them an envy of many teams. A team capable of weathering storms of late, regardless of the circumstances. However, they would need to strive for consistency in the league where they have not done as well as in knockout games.

Weaknesses: The team relies heavily on the presence of head coach ‘Madze’ Bulunga. Hence, they have failed to win games where he was not present. The points dropped against Mbabane Highlanders and Royal Leopards when at least a draw was possible are already rued. In both games, the players deviated from the tactics and were duly punished.

Key player: Sandile Sacolo has returned to boost the confidence in the team. The ‘Chief Engineer’, as he is affectionately known, has been the epicentre of the team’s historic run in the Top Lotto Cup.

Log Position: 12 (2 points)

Coach: Jomo Dlamini

Strengths: The team’s only bright spot has been the ability to avoid being buried under an avalanche of goals. And credit must go to former Sihlangu goalkeeper Mbongeni Motsa, who has been impressive between the poles. For a team languishing in the bottom of the log to concede eight goals in six games should be included as positive.

Weaknesses: There are plenty. Losing the duo of last season’s top goal scorer Mathokoza Thwala and Juries Gama to Royal Leopards has weakened the Msumpe-based side. That was despite signing Wandile Hlatshwako and Mazaza Thwala to boost their team. However, the glaring fact is that they need to boost their technical bench with an experienced mentor, who would be understudied by the incumbent coach. That needs to be done urgently, otherwise relegation is imminent for the elite league rookies.

Key player: Mbongeni Motsa has been outstanding.