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Noel Munzabwa
FORMER Gunners coach, George Madira is on the verge of premiership promotion needing just three points to become the fourth consecutive Zimbabwe-born coach to attain the feat.
Madira’s Piggs Peak Black Swallows beat Hub Sundowns 2-1 on Friday in a match played at Somhlolo National Stadium to move within promotion range with just three rounds of matches to go in the MTN National First Division.
The Piggs Peak-based ensemble play bottom-placed City Warriors next week and a win will seal the premiership berth leaving the Madlenya and Tinyosi ties only vital to bag the ultimate championship in the second tier.
A victory over City Warriors will see Madira join Tarisai Changara, Saul Chaminuka and Ikarbot Masocha who have won promotion.
Changara led Tambuti to the elite league in 2015/ 16, Chaminuka did it with Matsapha United in 2016 /17. Masocha bagged the 2017/ 18 promotion berth with Mbabane Citizens.
“With 42 points and the third-placed Tinyosi on 35, we need the next game against City Warriors to win and seal promotion. The players have been in superb form and know what is expected of them in this race,” said Madira.
Across the country, Julius Chakupewa opened his Tambankulu Callies account with a 1-0 win over Mbabane City. The result moved Callies within three points of successfully evading relegation from the MTN National First Division.
Chakupewa joined Callies after being fired from MTN Premier League of Eswatini outfit Manzini Sundowns, who lost 0-6 to Malanti Chiefs leaving the Zimbabwe-born mentor enjoying the last laugh post termination of his contract.
At the premiership stage, Cabby Kamhapa and Steven Makatuka’s Mbabane Swallows played out a goalless draw in the city Derbyshire against Mbabane Highlanders in a match played at a packed Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday.
Changara and Zenzile Dolly Mpofu’s Moneni Pirates remained in murky waters after a 3-5 defeat to Sea Birds.
League action gives way to the Eswatini Bank Cup quarter-finals set for the weekend.
Online Reporter