You snooze, you lose!
That is the absolute truth, as the MTN Premier League enters Week 11 today, with the chase for the first-round incentive reaching a fever pitch. For some clubs, these fixtures are a matter of life and death, as the window to claim the prize money rapidly closes.
The increased MTN League sponsorship, up from E6.5 million to E7 million, has seen a corresponding rise in the first-round champion’s prize, which has swelled from E100 000 to E120 000.
The talking point will be settled in just five games, after which the debate will swiftly shift to the overall league title race. As the current log charts stand, MTN Premier League reigning champions Nsingizini Hotspurs are the favourites. They enjoy a three-point cushion at the summit with a maximum of 15 points still up for grabs.
However, two clubs have already been tossed a red card in this chase due to their struggles at the bottom of the table. Hub giants Manzini Wanderers, who currently hold the wooden spoon with just six points after 10 outings, are mathematically eliminated.
Even if they manage to win all their remaining, yet tough, fixtures – starting with Mbabane Swallows today, followed by Nsingizini, then tricky Ezulwini United, Royal Leopard, and Young Buffaloes – they can only finish the first lap of the season with 21 points. Sisonkhe share the same fate as they fight tooth and nail to stay afloat in the top flight during their second season.
Moreover, more teams, including members of the so-called ‘big guns’, will be playing today’s fixtures with the intent to secure favourable results. They are still in the race, but defeats will diminish their chances of winning this inspiring prize.
It is a tough call for capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders if they want to make waves, as they currently sit nine points shy of the top spot.
With tough remaining first-round fixtures, including the Mbabane Derby, they need to start today and dent the hopes of the first-round ‘carrot’ defending champions, Royal Leopard. Leopard are also in a worrying position, closer to the drop zone and averaging just one point across their 10 matches played so far.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows, who have won the league seven times this century, have a log standing that places them as underdogs to snatch the ‘carrot’. They rank 10th with 12 points and are currently enduring a six-game winless streak.
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