‘FELA’-LESS ‘BIRDS’ OUT TO BURST PIRATES’ BUBBLE

Rejuvenated Moneni Pirates’ bid to end the Mbabane Swallows jinx continues when they make a short trip to Prince of Wales Ground in Mbabane for round 15 of the MTN Premier League this afternoon.

Unbeaten in all four matches since coming on board, Pirates’ new Coach Ikabort Masocha is eager to protect his flawless record in what will be his toughest test to date. Odds are against the Moneni ‘Buccaneers’, as they face a side they have failed to beat  in over 990 minutes of league football. In fact, the last time Pirates avoided defeat in this fixture was back on May 19, 2019, and the game ended in a goalless draw.   In this season’s first round meeting back on November 20, last year; the ‘Sea Robbers’ ended with the wooden part of the spoon following a 0-1 setback. However, Pirates will still come to the game with renewed vigour. Troublesome Swallows marksman Felix Badenhorst, who thrives in this fixture, is out with a red card. Sturdy defender Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane also returns to Pirates after serving a one-match ban.

For Swallows, it is another must-win fixture in order to keep up with the ‘big boys’ at the top. While the ‘Beautiful Birds’ will again play behind closed doors as part of the fine imposed by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee for causing mayhem, they will not want to slip up when it matters the most. Coach Caleb Ngwenya will again be expected to unleash the best from his arsenal, with recruit and impressive midfielder Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini expected to make his eagerly-awaited debut. The likes of veteran centre-back Kingu Pemba, defender Sifiso Mabila and gifted forward Mutanda Bashir are expected to get a nod in the starting team. It is promises to be a feisty fixture, which both sides must win to keep the leading pack in sight.

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