By Ntokozo Magongo
MBABANE – The biggest game in the country, the Mbabane derby between Highlanders and Swallows will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday, thanks to the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.
The MTN Premier League match will kick-off at 3pm at the new refurbished stadium that played hosts to the Ingwenyama Cup finals last month. According to the fixtures released by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), it will be a single header and over 7 000 supporters are expected to cascade at the venue to watch the clash. Each fan is expected to pay E50 to watch the thrilling match.
The two sides played a 1-all draw in the first round fixture.
Somhlolo National Stadium is currently not officially opened to hosts events as the renovations are still under way. After the closure of Mavuso Sports Centre due to renovations, the PLE, through the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), requested to use Somhlolo National Stadium for the biggest game and the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs gave the permission, much relief to the football fraternity.
Mbabane Swallows are top of the table with 46 points, with only three matches remaining. A win for them will see them drawing closer to the title. Mbabane Highlanders sixth on the table with 35 points and they are now battling for a top four finish.
There are three games to be played on Sunday being the Mbabane derby, armed forces derby between Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes billed for Mhlume Stadium, and defending champions Green Mamba visiting Shiselweni based side, Nsingizini Hotspurs at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. All three games will kick-off at 3pm.
The rest of the fixtures will be played on Saturday at different venues, with relegation battle between Denver Sundowns and Madlenya set for KaLanga Technical Centre, while Manzini Wanderers will battle against Illovo at Mayaluka Stadium.
Ezulwini United will have a date with Manzini Sea Birds at Simunye Stadium and Rangers will hosts Moneni Pirates at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. All the Saturday matches will kick-off at 3:15pm.
Meanwhile, action will also continue in the MTN National First Division with all the seven matches to be played on Sunday at different venues, but kick-off same time.
MTN Premier League fixtures:
Saturday (May 4)
King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium:
Rangers vs Moneni Pirates 3:15pm
KaLanga Technical Centre:
Madlenya vs Denver Sundowns 3 :15pm
Simunye Stadium:
Ezulwini vs Manzini Sea Birds 3:15pm
Mayaluka Stadium:
Illovo vs Manzini Wanderers 3:15pm
Sunday (May 5)
King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium:
Nsingizini vs Green Mamba 3pm
Mhlume Stadium:
R. Leopard vs Young Buffaloes 3pm
Somhlolo National Stadium:
M. Highlanders vs M. Swallows 3pm
MTN National First Division:
Sunday (May 5)
Mayakuka Stadium:
U. Flyers vs Nyanyali 3pm
Mkhuzweni Stadium:
Black Swallows vs PP Rangers 3pm
Simunye Stadium:
T. Callies vs Louis XIV 3pm
Mhlume Stadium:
Sisonkhe vs L. Killers 3pm
Prince of Wales Sports Ground:
M. Chiefs vs M. Hotspurs 3pm
Manzini Club:
CK Survivors vs Seven Dreams 3pm
Tambankulu Stadium:
T. Celtics vs L. Spurs 3pm
