Times Of Swaziland: BOXERS ZWELI, CULLUM SWEEP THE BOARDS

BOXERS ZWELI, CULLUM SWEEP THE BOARDS
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Themba Zwane on 25/03/2019 09:04:00


MBABANE – It was young boxers in Zweli Dlamini and Cullum Mathews, who stole
the show during the National Championships finals.
The two left the MDS Hall where the Eswatini Boxing Association (EBA) had hosted
the championships with the most accolades. Dlamini was named the best boxer in
the seniors’ category while Mathews was outstanding in the youth category.
Dlamini and Mathews were further honoured with taking part in the best bouts for
the seniors and juniors’ categories, respectively. Dlamini fought against
Khayelihle Shongwe of Correctional while Mathews was in action against Mancoba
Dlamini of Ubombo in their respective bouts.
Both boxers were also part of the fighters who received gold medals for winning
their bouts, including yesterday’s finals. It was the icing on top of the cake
for Dlamini after his team, Matsapha Boxing Club were crowned the best team of
the National Championships. Dlamini’s renowned teammate Thabiso Dlamini also
received a gold medal after defeating Ubombo’s Thandokuhle Dlamini, winning on
retirement. The championships were filled with excitement and disappointment for
the boxers and spectators who had crammed the MDS hall. Kid Mamba’s Mneli
Nkambule became emotional after a shoulder dislocation in his fight against
Ingwe’s Sifiso Ngwenya.
He could not hold back his tears after the referee ruled the match in favour of
Ngwenya on RSCH. Many could not believe their eyes when he forced back the
dislocated shoulder back to its normal position and begged the match officials
to allow him to continue with the match which appeared to be going in his
favour. However, the match officials had to stop the match in fear that he might
hurt himself more. Matsapha’s Andiswa Sibandze was also exceptional after
winning the 60kg seniors category following a convincing final against
Tambankulu’s Sifiso Dlamini. Sibandze had beaten Falakhe Vilakazi in their
earlier match of the semi-finals. Present during the finals was EBA Patron
Prince Masitsela, Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Harries ‘Madze’
Bulunga and EBA executive among another officials and guests.