DRAMATIC START TO ‘Y’ELLO’ 2ND ROUND

MBABANE – It was another sad day for Eswatini football on Sunday at Mavuso Sports Centre.

The MTN Premier League match between Young Buffaloes and Mbabane Highlanders ended in dramatic style, as referees were in the spotlight once again. The match officials had to be escorted to the exit facing the famous hangout spot, the Grand Valley (GV). Some Highlanders fans blocked the tunnel to the dressing rooms, baying for the referees’ blood.

Stoppage

This was after ‘Bull’s midfielder Philani Mkhonto’s header deep into stoppage time was ruled out for an offside by first assistant referee Banele Tfwala. The game eventually ended goallless. The Week 14 MTN Premier League fixtures saw Manzini Wanderers continue with their rich form, as they won their third game in a row. The maroon and white outfit beat rookies Seven Dreams 1-0 at their new ‘slaughter house’, the Prince of Wales Sports Ground on Saturday. Meanwhile, the game between Madlenya and Manzini Sea Birds was abandoned in the second-half due to the unavailability of medical personnel. Madlenya were on the driving seat, leading with two goals to nil. Here are some of the things we noted in Week 14 of the games:

Paramedics do the unthinkable
The paramedics, who were deployed at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground during the MTN Premier League double-header, which pitted Seven Dreams against Manzini Wanderers and Royal Leopard versus Tambankulu Callies, never bothered to alight from the ambulance for the entire duration of the games. Even after the Match Commissioner on the day, Sipho Kunene, tried to reason with them, his effort yielded no results.

Marula ‘energises’ fans
The marula season is upon us as witnessed at Mavuso Sports Centre, where the ‘juicy brew’ was on offer, at a fee though. This is good for the vendors, as they earn a living through selling the brew, but as the Times Sports Desk we would like to urge the emaSwati to imbibe it carefully to avoid finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.

‘Bull’ players stylish T-shirts
Mbabane Highlanders players drew our attention as they were dressed in beautiful matching T-shirts with the team’s logo. We encourage this uniformity from clubs.

Mbabane Club turned into ‘fan park’
A fan was spotted watching comfortable the MTN Premier League double-header which was played at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground from the Mbabane Club rooms.

Illegal entrance for young fan
A young football fan saw no reason to use the main entrance at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground. The youngster used an opening to gain entry into the sports ground.

No ‘Romeo’ for ‘Weslians’
Manzini Wanderers had to play their game against Seven Dreams without a reserve goalkeeper, as Bongiswa ‘Romeo’ Dlamini was seen greeting former player and Skipper Jerry ‘Mbazo’ Gamedze, while striker Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama wore his jersey. Gama later scored the winner after he was introduced into the game.

Local teams use foreign substances
It was disturbing to see teams using foreign substances during the games over the weekend. This is not good for the development of the sports as some use the ball boys to perform the illicit  practices.

Impressive Buffaloes supporters
For the first time in many seasons, Young Buffaloes had an impressive number of supporters who cheered the team against Mbabane Highlanders. This was good as their stand was painted gold and maroon and matched their counterparts as they danced for the betterment of the game. It was gathered that the fans were recruits undergoing army training at Mbuluzi.

Star player of the week: Thokozani Mkhulisi (T. Callies)
The former Green Mamba and Mbabane Swallows goal custodian was in his element best as he denied Royal Leopard strikers from scoring in their game on Saturday played at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground. His experience came to the fore.

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