Written by Wayde Dorkin for Soccer Betting News. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
Mbabane Swallows vs Kaizer Chiefs | Saturday 18 July | Somhlolo National Stadium, Lobamba | 09:00
The inaugural King’s Super Cup in Swaziland will include South African giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates this year. The one-day tournament will start from a semi-final format with Chiefs to play Mbabane Swallows at 9am in the first match on Saturday and Pirates to challenge the country’s league champions at 11am in the second game. The final will be played at 3pm on the same day.
To Win (90mins)
Mbabane Swallows 7/1
Draw 3/1
Kaizer Chiefs 7/20
Mbabane Swallows
Mbabane Swallows finished in second place last season behind Royal Leopards for a consecutive time. However, they are five-time league champions having won the MTN Premier League in 1993, 2005, 2009, 2012 and 2013. Like Chiefs, Swallows were also knocked out of the CAF Champions League. They faced Zambia’s Zesco United, who beat them 2-1 on aggregate over two legs, with the tie in Swaziland ending 1-1. Swallows’ star player is 30-year-old midfielder Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, who has played for various clubs in the South African PSL including SuperSport United.
Kaizer Chiefs
Kaizer Chiefs have stated that they are not going to Swaziland for a holiday and will take a full strength squad for the tournament, according to club football manager Bobby Motaung. “We are not going to Swaziland for fun,” said Motaung. “We will compete with a full strength team and we will show what Kaizer Chiefs is all about.” The one-day tournament will grant head coach Steve Komphela the opportunity to test his combinations following the club’s news signings. Swaziland is dominated by Orlando Pirates supporters but Chiefs do have a good following and long history in the country, starting in the 70s and 80s when the then young club played regular friendlies in the Kingdom. Also, several Amakhosi legends originate from Swaziland, including goalkeeper William ‘Cool Cat’ Shongwe, winger Abel ‘Chacklas’ Shongwe and strikers Absalom ‘Scara’ Thindwa and Ronnie Dube. The Absa Premiership’s defending champions have beefed up their squad following the departure of some key personnel in Itumeleng Khune, Tefu Mashamaite and Mandla Masango. AmaKhosi have brought in defenders; Siyanda Xulu, Daniel Cardoso and Keegan Ritchie, strikers; Bongani Ndulula, Camaldine Abraw, and most recently Ugandan winger Sula Matovu.
VERDICT: Kaizer Chiefs 7/20
Chiefs will be looking looking to start their season well, especially with Komphela eager to win the support of the AmaKhosi faithful early. Chiefs were excellent in the league last season and their new players will be raring to go and prove themselves. Chiefs should earn a rampant win against Swaziland’s number two ranked club.
