Once big game chokers, Green Mamba are now true contenders

It was bound to happen at some point. After a record breaking 51-match unbeaten run, it wasn’t going to be 52 for Mbabane Swallows.  Green Mamba, led by Caleb Ngwenya, finally stopped the party, ending an incredible run that lasted well over two years and covered three seasons.

In as much as the big story coming out of Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday evening was that of Swallows’ record crumbling, there is also the small issue of Green Mamba emerging as serious contenders for the MTN Premier League title this season.

Green Mamba have won all four of their League games so far this season including convincing victories against two of their fellow ‘big six’ rivals.

Mamba beat Manzini Wanderers 1-0 in the opening weekend before downing Swallows 2-0 on Sunday afternoon. It is quite the transformation for Ngwenya’s side who, not so long ago, were truly struggling in matches against fellow big sides.

In July, Mamba were beaten by rivals Young Buffaloes in the playoffs final of the Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup. Mamba picked up just 14 points out of a possible 30 in matches against sides in the ‘big six bracket’ last season (Swallows, Buffaloes, Wanderers, Mbabane Highlanders and Royal Leopard).

Tellingly though, Green Mamba were knocked out of both the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup and SwaziBank Cup by Buffaloes last season. Even though Ngwenya, who had arrived at the club in October, eventually steered them to 3rd in the final League standings playing some really attractive football, the overall feeling was that Mamba had to find a way to beat their fellow rivals if they were to become true challengers.

Beating Wanderers on the opening day was good but not unexpected. The Correctional Services side completely dominated the two sides’ meetings in the League last season winning 5-1 and 3-0 in the first and second rounds respectively. However, yesterday, Green Mamba announced their intentions for the season in spectacular fashion.

They had beaten Swallows in the SwaziBank Cup last 16 last season but few expected them to end the Birds’ marathon invincible run. But when Musa Dlamini scored early on in the first half, Swallows never responded.

For once, Swallows coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati got most of his decisions wrong. His team lacked fluidity and his decision to stick with the clearly out of sorts Richard McCreesh till the 70th minute hardly helped matters. When Green Mamba finally found their second late on in the second half through Mcolisi Mkhontfo, the writing was on the wall.

Ngwenya is on to something at Green Mamba. While his side was glorious in attack and vulnerable in defence last season, they look a much more balanced team now. The Mkhontfo brothers in midfield (Khetokuhle and Mcolisi) provider steel and stability while captain Banele ‘Makonese’ Dlamini is a true leader at the back. Goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi has hardly put a foot wrong since his arrival.

It is on that spine that Ngwenya is able to unleash his attacking riches including Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo, Solomon Oladele, Njabulo Tfwala and Musa Dlamini. They are so good that the richly talented duo of Banele ‘Barney’ Mlduli and Phinda Dlamini have to make do with places on the bench.

Green Mamba are no longer big game chokers, they are now true contenders.

By Sibongiseni Zondi