MANZINI – Another blow.
Manzini Wanderers’ dismal start to the 2024/25 MTN Premier League season has hit a new low, with the club officially ruled out of the running for the E120 000 first-round prize. This marks one of the ‘Weslians’ poorest openings in recent memory, leaving the Manzini giants rooted to the bottom of the 16-team league with just six points after 10 matches.
Even if Wanderers secure victory in their remaining four first-round fixtures, their maximum haul of 18 points would fall four short of the 22 already amassed by log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The road ahead is brutal. Wanderers face a daunting run of fixtures against title-chasing and formidable sides, starting with a clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs on Sunday – an opponent they drew 0–0 with before losing the return fixture 3–0. This is followed by matches against Ezulwini United, who are just three points off the summit, and then Royal Leopard, a police side that have proven a hard nut to crack in the past. They conclude the first round with a stern test against domestic powerhouses Young Buffaloes.
Following their latest 2–0 loss to Mbabane Swallows, Wanderers’ Head Coach Gcina Dlamini attributed repeated collapses to the injury of first-choice goalkeeper Mario Jamine. “This is the third time we fall apart and go on to lose a match after losing Mario Jamine,” Dlamini admitted. “Once that happens, our concentration drops and we are punished. However, we will keep pushing. The next four opponents are all tough… despite the difficulty, we believe we can still get something out of these games. We are not giving up.”
Mbabane Swallows Coach Caleb Ngwenya, whose side claimed the victory, acknowledged the shift in momentum, but praised his players: “The injury to Wanderers’ goalkeeper changed the momentum, but we stayed focused and managed the game well.”
As Wanderers face the prospect of dicing with the dreaded relegation axe, former player and gaffer Kina ‘Electric Man’ Phiri has stepped forward to offer his assistance.
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