‘BIRDS’ HAVE ONE WING ON 1ST ROUND CARROT!

My dearest readers ... Statistics, this State-Of-Nation-Sports-Address (SONSA) has repeatedly said, are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive but what they conceal is vital.

Played 10. Won 8. Drawn 2. Lost 0. Those are the statistics of vintage Mbabane Swallows in the 2017/18 season which has been capped by the capture of the only tournament played thus far – the season opening Swazi Telecom Charity Cup on the memorable Sunday afternoon of August 27 at Somhlolo National Stadium. Lest we forget, the ‘Beautiful Birds’ are on a record-breaking 32 league games unbeaten run having last lost a league game on May 15, 2016 to Royal Leopard (1-3) on the final day of the 2015/16 season. Now this is scarier. In the 32 unbeaten league games, they have won 27 and drawn five. Love or loathe them, the red and white glamour side are tearing up the record books on a weekly basis and setting new standards in the MTN Premier league. It’s a little wonder they find themselves four points clear of nearest challengers, Young Buffaloes and seven points ahead of Matsapha United, even so early in the campaign.

It is frightening that they have not really been in the blistering form that comes to them like second nature – fast and aggressive. They have sorely missed the raw pace of Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa which over the past two seasons has been unsettling and destabilising to the opposition defences. But still they have managed to score more goals (19) than any other side; conceded the least (5) together with Matsapha United and have a healthy +14 goal difference.
Without playing a devil’s advocate, if Young Buffaloes fail to beat comatose Mbabane Highlanders tonight and Swallows roughshod over Vovovo FC, ‘Umkhonto Ka-Shaka’ would be sure-bet to walk away with the First round prize of E350 000 to add to the E950 000 they won in August. E1.3million will be in the kitty even before they celebrate their 70th year anniversary next year. What looked like a two-horse race, all a long, has been turned into a one-horse canter after the army side Young Buffaloes played to a dour goalless draw with Royal Leopard at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

At Somhlolo National Stadium, Swallows ran out 2-0 winners over Moneni Pirates. With Matsapha United’s hopes of clinching the first round prize extinguished by the lethal scoring boot of Nigerian striker, Aladeon Kola, provoking wild scenes of jubilations from those who worship with the ‘Weslians’ on terraces at Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday, it was left to Young Buffaloes to challenge Swallows for the first round prize. But the army side has dropped the ball and can now rest their hopes in what is increasingly looking like a dream deferred. Yours Truly would be the next prime minister if Swallows were to miss out on the first round E350 000 first prize, I dare say! They just seem not to know when they are beaten. 2 880 minutes or more of football without a loss takes more than just chutzpah, determination and courage.  The Swallows of Mbabane have an amazing winning mentality falsely derided as ‘mere luck’ or ‘domination founded on unfair competition’ by their detractors as one loud-mouthed coach recently spewed a bitter bile.

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