FIXTURE: Pirates vs Hub Sundowns
VENUE: Trade Fair Ground
TIME: 7.30pm

The Trade Fair Ground will become a battle field, as the two elite league minnows (for being the two new faces this season) Moneni Pirates and Hub Sundowns cross swords in a match that has much to do with who will stay in the league.

It is still early in the season to spell doom for any team, but the two teams are quite aware that a loss in the match will mean more work in the fight to escape the chop. The loser will suffer much psychologically, whilst the winner will celebrate a great boost.

Both teams have shown great potential in the league, especially Hub Sundowns who were unlucky to lose against Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Swallows in the past two weeks.

At Hub, the coaching acumen of Dumisa ‘Dodge’ Mahlalela has emerged above the individual performances of the players. The pintsized master strategist has done a good job in moulding the team tactically.

Youngster Khayela Mdluli is maturing with time under Dodge, so is Phesheya Mbingo. The acquisition of former Malanti Chiefs striker Vusi Shiba will add option upfront.

But against Pirates they face a team that has since recovered from their long layoff from the promotional battle with RSSC United.

Sebenele ‘Pienaar’ Dlamini is cementing his reputation as a player to watch this season under another knowledgeable mentor Mlamuli ‘Sputla’ Zwane. His combination with Sifiso Magagula, Misasive Dlamini, and new signee Kassim Kamaro will cause problems for many teams. The buccaneers are playing fluid passing football; they were unlucky not to have bagged all three points in the barren draw against Green Mamba on Saturday. Hub whose defence, is suspect, will have to be on their toes, lest they suffer their third straight defeat.

INTERSTING BATTLE:
Sifiso Magagula
vs Ronnie Du Pont;

The two central midfielders will come face to face in this clash and expect sparks to fly high. The pint sized Magagula covers his area well and apart from diffusing the opposition attack, he is the fulcrum of his team attack. But against the hefty Du Pont he comes up against an intelligent player whose passing is a marvel to watch. His only let down is his stamina, but for once against Swallows he lasted the entire match.

PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Sebenele Dlamini (Pirates)
Khayela Mdluli (Hub)