THE 10 SPECIAL MOMENTS

It was the best of times; it was the worst of times, “It was the age of wisdom; it was the age of foolishness, “It was the epoch of belief; it was the epoch of incredulity, “It was the season of light; it was the season of darkness, “It was the spring of hope; it was the winter of despair.” Charles Dickens, in his novel, the ‘Tale of Two Cities’, opening line must have had the gruelling and enthralling MTN league 2020/2021 season in mind.
From the moment, it kicked off on Saturday, December 12, 2020 with Green Mamba playing to a 1-all draw with Milling Hot spurs - Hot spurs Sanele Dlamini scoring the first goal of the season in the 6th minute – and the day ending with the cancellation of the Mhlume Peacemakers/Moneni Pirates game after some players from Moneni Buccaneers failed to produce COVID-19 tests results and were withdrawn by the Match Commissioner with ‘Bogandaganda’ leading 2-0.

The registration cards scandal on April 11 when Mbabane Swallows forgot their playing cards leading to the cancellation of their clash with Royal Leopard right up to the Magawugawu-gate issue when the Pirates captain Menzi Simelane produced inconclusive COVID-19 results, and his team refusing to withdraw him from the starting line-up leading to Match Commissioner Bhekisizwe Mkhabela calling off the game against Swallows on May 9.

Then of course the first protests against Mbabane Highlanders on striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa lodged by Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows on the same day - May 9 - opened a can of worms as two other teams, Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns, then followed suit. Black Swallows failed to produce any tangible evidence and in the words of Highlanders lawyer, Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli were on ‘a fishing expedition’ and they lost the protest case. Royal Leopard, firm favourites going to the last game against Manzini Wanderers on May 21, capitulated when they played a goalless draw with Manzini Wanderers at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium allowing Young Buffaloes to snatch the E350 000 first prize ‘carrot’ with a 2-0 win over Manzini Sea Birds. Sports Editor, Lwazi Dlamini highlights the 10 things that made the 2020/2021 MTN Premier league first round special.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: