Times Of Swaziland: DJ Cleo, Leopard steal the show

DJ Cleo, Leopard steal the show
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BY NTUTHUKO DLAMINI  on 13/08/2013 00:53:00


Hooray to this year’s champions Royal Leopard!
The wait and curiosity is all over now as the final games of the Swazi Telecom
Charity Cup got underway before a packed crowd of over 10 000 spectators blessed
by the presence of His Majesty. Leopard beat army side Young Buffaloes 4-1 after
penalties to snatch the title they last won in 2006.
The champions had beaten Green Mamba 2-1 in the first semi-final while Buffaloes
won 4-2 against Mbabane Swallows in the second semi. As this year’s tournament
slogan was Itak’seta Mo, below 12 of those astonishing moments are presented
from a day in which Leopard and South Africa’s DJ Cleo stole the show. Enjoy
as the review Itak’seta Mo!
King’s presence
The thousands of fans at the Somhlolo National Stadium should forever cherish
the moment – watching a football game with the King is surely a huge blessing
for it does not happen every time. It just shows this is indeed a national
charity initiative now letak’seta mo! Even Emazinyane in the likes of Princes
Benkhosi, Sicalo, Bandzile and Lindani were there to grace the event.
The PM and DPM
Both the Prime Minister Sibusiso Dlamini and Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku
have spoken well of the Charity Cup and declared government’s full support.
They lived up to that once again as they were among the thousands who watched
Royal Leopard win the Cup of Hope. With them were outgoing Ministers in Winnie
Magagula (ICT) and Hlobisile Ndlovu (Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs).
DJ Cleo, Teddy Bears
The South African spinner outdid himself with a super splendid performance the
crowd could survive with him and his group Teddy Bears all day after the
football games failed to produce much spark but Buffaloes and Swallows gave a
better game. He gave over an hour performance and satisfied all at the stadium
he had to return for more during the half time of the final. There was also a
performance by South Africa’s gospel artist Lundi Tyamara and our own
Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors who did well too but Cleo was the main show.
Goals, celebrations
While not much could be said about the football on offer from the games, there
were goals which the crowd loved and celebrated together with the scoring teams
in particular in the semi-final clashes on the road to the final. Three goals
were scored in the first semi while the second was won in penalties after a
barren draw in regular time.
Trophy parade
This is also another highlight of the games as the trophy was paraded on a Ford
Ranger bakkie by SPTC employees Bhekiwe Dlamini and Zanele Nhlengetfwa escorted
by motorbikes.
The branding
This starts from dressing the clubs, referees, staff and media before extending
to the stadium in and outside. One must give it to the marketing department as
they did a wonderful job all one could see was Swazi Telecom all round the
stadium. The advertising of their latest products the 3G Mifi Broadband and WLL
Fixed Terminal was also spot on.
Colourful crowd
The country’s soccer Mecca has a capacity sitting crowd of 7 500 which was
well filled while over 10 000 spectators were at the stadium. Close to E400 000
was collected from the gates.
That Buffaloes’ fan
One Young Buffaloes’ fan showed that he had prepared himself for the games on
time as he wore the team’s replica and even brought a leopard doll to mock
their rivals Royal Leopard in the final.
Players’ flair
The stars who provided the fans something to talk about and enjoy were Mbabane
Swallows’ dazzling winger Darren ‘Dazza’ Christie, Royal Leopard’s
Mduduzi ‘Juries’ Gama and Young Buffaloes’ Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu
– they displayed some dizzying dribbling skills laseta mo.
VIP ticket holders
Each ticket sold for E270 and it proved well worth the price as I didn’t hear
anyone complaining – these were also treated to a breakfast snack and Swazi
Telecom branded cooler bags while they further got meals and drinks.
Leopard warm-up
After his supercharged performance, DJ Cleo gave the fans a bonus as he joined
Leopard in their warm-up session, a moment the crowd loved.
The Crowning
His Majesty King Mswati III did the honours as he presented the trophy to the
champions’ Captain Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mthethwa. The player had promised the
silverware to the King during the Police Day last Friday.