Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’, ‘BUFFS’ CUP  FINAL LOOMS LARGE

‘BIRDS’, ‘BUFFS’ CUP  FINAL LOOMS LARGE
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By Lwazi's Pandora's Box on 16/01/2017 23:58:00


My dearest readers ... Vrrrrrrrrr ... Pa! goes a township lingo describing the
effervescent Golf GTi.
I am tempted to say that’s how the magical Ingwenyama MVA Cup has moved in its
second edition this year. Call it, the fast and the furious if you like!
Big guns have fallen by the wayside – read Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini
Wanderers – who are like a tea bag as they both don’t stay much in a Cup!
Heek, heek, heek. It’s no laughing matter by the way especially when Premier
League rookies Tambuti FC have bulldozed their way into the last four stage of
the richest tournament in the land. The modest Lubombo region-based outfit
achieved this feat by sensationally beating the faltering Mbabane Highlanders
2-1 at a packed King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano on Saturday. Many
have even forgotten that last year’s runners-up, Royal Leopard were booted out
by army side, Young Buffaloes in this year’s edition.
So clearly, like a true knockout tournament, the bigger they come, the harder
they fall – and the Ingwenyama MVA Cup just loves them!
I trekked down to Big Bend at Mayaluka Stadium on Saturday to watch the
swashbuckling Mbabane Swallows wallop National First Division side, Vovovo, who
despite playing some enterprising football in the first half, were flummoxed 4-0
by the country’s best team of the season by a long mile.
The ‘Birds’ took their own goal tally to 69 goals in all competitions on a
year they are celebrating their 69th anniversary!
Then on Sunday unpredictable Manzini Sundowns made their second semi-final
appearance in the same tournament after beating wasteful cross city rivals,
Moneni Pirates 1-0. Earlier on, a depleted Malanti Chiefs were thrashed 2-0 by
tough-as-teak Young Buffaloes.