admin. Noel Munzwaba
SAUL Chaminuka has stretched his unbeaten 2018-19 MTN Premier League of Eswatini run to 10 matches after a 1-0 win over Manzini Sea Birds at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday afternoon going one better on his previous record.
With no Zimbabwe players registered with any of the teams in the current campaign only Zimbabwean soccer coaches headline the representation.
In his maiden MTN Premier League of Eswatini in 2017/ 18 then with Matsapha United, Chaminuka went for nine matches unbeaten before crumbling 0-1 to Manzini Wanderers at Mavuso Sports Centre on the 28th of October 2017.
During that run, Chaminuka had chalked up five wins and four draws beating Royal Leopards (2-0), Green Mamba (2-1), Vovovo (1-0), Tambuti (2-1) and Midas City (2-0). The draws were against Mbabane Swallows (0-0), Mbabane Highlanders (0-0), Red Lions (1-1) and Manzini Sundowns (1-1)
By the time he suffered his first ever MTN Premier League of Eswatini defeat, Chaminuka’s Matsapha United were second on the log standings and as he went one better on that record, the former Warriors assistant coach led his Mbabane Highlanders charges to second on the standings.
In his current run at Mbabane Highlanders, Chaminuka has bagged six wins and four draws. He has won over Malanti Chiefs (2-1), Manzini Sundowns (3-2), Tambuti (2-1), Matsapha United (1-0), Green Mamba (2-1) and Manzini Sea Birds (1-0).
He has played stalemates against Young Buffaloes (0-0), Royal Leopards (1-1), Vovovo (1-1) and Mbabane Citizens (0-0).
This weekend it will be a Battle of Zimbabwean Coaches, when Mbabane Highlanders welcomes the Tarisai Changara-coached Moneni Pirates at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano on Sunday afternoon.
Chaminuka will be hoping for a win as his lads are still in with a remote chance for the mid-season premiership champions’ incentive hoping log leaders Green Mamba drop points against Tambuti at Somhlolo National Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Meanwhile, George Madira’s Piggs Peak Black Swallows played out a 2-2 draw at home to second-placed Milling Hotspurs in a Week 9 MTN National First Division tie played at Killarney Stadium on Saturday.
The draw meant Swallows, with a four point lead, now require just one win from the two first half ties to clinch the mid-season champions carrot and they will be hoping to seal it when they travel to Hlathikulu Tycoons at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
derick.khumalo