G. MAMBA JITTERY AHEAD OF TITLE DECIDER
MBABANE – As the MTN Premier League judgement day draws nearer, it seems log leaders Green Mamba are jumpy.
Green Mamba tactician Ernest Mavuso made this known during the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) tour to their camp and that of Royal Leopard during yesterday afternoon’s training sessions. The tour was led by PLE Brand and Marketing Officer Malindi Dlamini. “I had to tap into the brains of the players to check the level of excitement and anxiety, as we are close but still not there. I had to do this because we had to balance the level of excitement on being possible champions and that of losing. That element is there and we are working around balancing the situation. We want to normalise it so we approach the game as one important game but thinking of the end product,” said Mavuso.
Pressure
Green Mamba will visit defending champions Royal Leopard at Nsukuwansuku Stadium at Mhlume on Sunday at 2pm, needing just a draw to win their first league title since 2019. Mavuso also admitted that that there was pressure while also declaring their readiness for titanic clash. “We have awareness of their abilities, especially their strong points. We worked on the finer details that are lacking in some of departments, which sometimes cost us the games. We want to be clinical because we have something big at stake to lose than them,” said the coach who is close to snatching his first league title as coach.
Meanwhile, his counterpart Edwin Matsebula said they would be gunning for maximum points despite the fact they would be playing for pride. Matsebula said they still had some bragging rights at stake and they wanted to avenge the first round 2-0 upset by the log leaders. “We are playing to protect the name of team and there is no reason to panic on the day. We are not under pressure; pressure is on them. This game is a derby, so the players need no motivation. We do not want to lose twice to them,” said Matsebula.
He promised not to change the approach of the game but said they would adjust to the approach of the opponents. He was also echoed by the team’s veteran captain Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini. Dlamini said they had a score to settle. “We do not wish for a defeat this time around and we do not care of their intentions out of this game. We play for maximum points as we did in the 4-2 win over Swallows last week. We want to wrap-up the season with a win to set the tone for next season,” said Mzoro.
Motivation
Meanwhile, Green Mamba Captain Mxolisi Mkhonto said the players were fully aware of the importance of the game. “Leopard is a big team in the country. We do not have pressure though, but it is still clear of in our minds of the game’s value and we need any motivation to pull through. Everything we do, we do it to win the game. It can be disheartening to lose it,” said Mkhonto who missed the last game due to suspension.
Meanwhile, both teams have the complement of full strengths squads except for Sibongakonke Silenge who remains suspended for the rest of the season.
Post your comment 





Comments (0 posted):