'Birds' vs 'Bull' in MTN League opener

Mbabane: Giants Mbabane Highlanders have been handed a rather difficult opening five matches of the new MTN Premier League season 2020/2021.

This is if the draft fixture leaked to Independent News Sports is anything to go by. The record 13 time league winners will face-off with bitter-sworn rivals Mbabane Swallows in the first match of the season.

On week two, Highlanders will revive their 60-year old rivalry with Manzini Wanderers before matches against six-time league champions Royal Leopard, defending MTN League champions Young Buffaloes and tough-as-teak Green Mamba.

The MTN Premier League begins November 20 under strict Covid-19 regulations and there will be no fans allowed.

2020/21 MTN LEAGUE FIXTURE

Week 1

Mbabane Swallows vs Mbabane Highlanders

Young Buffaloes vs Green Mamba

Tambuti vs Milling Hotspurs

Malanti Chiefs vs Royal Leopard

Black Swallows vs Tambankulu Callies

Mhlume Peacemakers vs Tinyosi

Denver Sundowns vs Manzini Sea Birds

Moneni Pirates vs Manzini Wanderers

Week 2

Black Swallows vs Mbabane Swallows

Malanti Chiefs vs Young Buffaloes

Tambuti vs Green Mamba

Manzini Wanderers vs Mbabane Highlanders

Milling Hotspurs vs Mhlume Peacemakers

Royal Leopard vs Denver Sundowns

Tambankulu Callies vs Moneni Pirates

Tinyosi vs Manzini Sea Birds

Week 3

Mbabane Swallows vs Young Buffaloes

Green Mamba vs Milling Hotspurs

Mbabane Highlanders vs Royal Leopard

Tambuti vs Tambankulu Callies

Malanti Chiefs vs Tinyosi

Black Swallows vs Manzini Sea Birds

Mhlume Peacemakers vs Moneni Pirates

Denver Sundowns vs Manzini Wanderers

The first week batch of matches contains other lucrative matches despite the Mbabane derby as it will also offer the hub derby between Manzini Wanderers and Moneni Pirates, and the security forces derby between Buffaloes and Green Mamba. Buffaloes and Green Mamba are the winners of the last two MTN League titles.

Other interesting games include the Swallows and Buffaloes clash on week three, Wanderers and Green Mamba on week four.

Newcomers Tinyosi and Tambankulu Callies will get to meet on week eight.

In the new season, the will be 16 teams in the premier league following the PLE resolution not to effect relegation after the COVID-19 interrupted 2019/20 season. Callies along with Tinyosi were promoted to the premier league, meaning each team will play 30 MTN League matches this new season.

It is expected that the 2020/21 matches will be evenly scattered across the country because of the number of games to be played with Callies expected to utilise Tambankulu Stadium, Peacemakers making constant use of their own Nsukuwansuku Stadium while Black Swallows and Malanti Chiefs will be responsible with taking as many games to the northern town of Pigg’s Peak.

Eswatini football is back after Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini’s led government gave it the green light.

Week 4

Tambuti vs Mbabane Swallows

Mbabane Highlanders vs Young Buffaloes

Manzini Wanderers vs Green Mamba

Milling Hotspurs vs Malanti Chiefs

Royal Leopard vs Black Swallows

Tambankulu Callies vs Mhlume Peacemakers

Tinyosi vs Denver Sundowns

Manzini Sea Birds vs Moneni Pirates

Week 5

Mbabane Swallows vs Malanti Chiefs