CLOSER TO THE BONE, THE SWEETER THE MEAT

My dearest readers ... In my next life, I will seriously consider to be a sangoma because this State-Of-The-Nation-Sports-Address (SONSA), without fear of contradiction, did say a month ago that the exciting MTN League race for the first round ‘carrot’ of E350 000 nay the title race as a whole, will be a two-horse race.

SONSA put it succinctly clear that, for the second season in a row, defending champions Mbabane Swallows and last year’s league runners-up, Young Buffaloes will once again be involved in a neck-to-neck race for the holy grail of local football, the MTN league trophy. Predictably so, it is once again the ‘Beautiful Birds’ of Mbabane and the tough-as-teak ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ who are vying for the league first round prize of E350 000 with four games left to play before the first round ends. Only two points separate the two sides in nine games played and for good measure, they played to a 1-all draw in the opening game of the season on Sunday, September 10 at Somhlolo National Stadium.
My conviction that the two sides, who have been contesting for honours in the past two seasons, will be the ones going for the gong again, is based on facts and figures.

Both sides are yet to lose; they have scored 31 goals between them with the free-scoring red and white glamour side having scored three more goals and having one more win than their nearest challengers. They have experienced players and have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to options for their starting line-up. Inexplicably they have not hit their strides yet, which is scary in itself.
Take Young Buffaloes for instance, the return to form of lethal striker Ndoda ‘Stomach’ Mthethwa sounds like sweet melody to coach Dominic Kunene, who has a lot of options in the likes Sandile Gamedze, Phiwa Dlamini and Sifiso ‘Junior’ Mazibuko. Ndoda Mthethwa has contributed four goals, including his double against Tambuti on Sunday at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium,  co-striker Phiwa Dlamini has netted three times while Sandile Gamedze has two goals to his name.

For the ‘Beautiful Birds’, while the absence of sharp shooter, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa is glaringly evident, goals have been coming from all angles. Yes, captain, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze has led by example, with four goals under his belt, Sandile Hlatjwako’s profligacy in front of goal might be frustrating to the team fans, but he has contributed four goals as well. Then the likes of jersey number 11, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, even Sanele Mkhweli, Ndumiso ‘Tower’ Ndaba and promising youngsters Sizolwethu Shabalala have raised their hands to be counted. Of course, Malanti Chiefs goal-a-game striker Charles Molopo is the leading goalscorer with seven goals and it is mainly his goals which have seen the Pigg’s Peak-based outfit bulldoze their way into the top four bracket. Matsapha United, to their credit, have won five games and are yet to lose a game in the elite league but lack of a prolific scorer remains the blot in their copybook with only defensive midfielder Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze and Sifiso Maseko having netted a measly two goals apiece.

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