FANS TURN MANANA’S VIGIL INTO CELEBRATION

MBASHENI – If the late Sibusiso Manana had resurrected from his death during his vigil on Friday night, then he would be pardoned for thinking his history-making Mbabane Swallows had already beaten South Africa’s Platinum Stars.

This is more so because the over 1 000 combined fans from various clubs in the country blatantly seized control of proceedings and refused to take orders; turning the service into a send-off party for the deceased Mbabane Swallows acting CEO.

As soon as a couple of buses, kombis and sprinters arrived at the family of the administrator’s homestead at Mbasheni at around 11.30pm, they just ‘inherited’ the tent where the vigil was held and went on with the services, ignoring even police officers, elders or anyone who tried to bring them under control. Before you start thinking it was that bad, the fans had other ideas – to celebrate the life of the late Manana who was buried early yesterday morning at Mbasheni in the Hhohho region. That they did with aplomb even the pastor for the night left the tent and let the ‘party’, which begun on a high note, continue.

Singing, dancing, whistling, the blowing of vuvuzelas and often time the gospel music that rang so loud inside the tent all went perfect with their state of sobriety – they turned this vigil into a big football celebration and in the end, it turned out to be just the perfect send-off for the man they sometimes referred to as ‘Mabura’.

Interesting enough was the fact that Manana’s dream to unify fans and see them to sit and watch football together in grandstands was fulfilled on the night as it was not only Swallows that painted the whole homestead and parking areas red and white but you would also see the other colours from Manzini Wanderers, Mbabane Highlanders, Royal Leopard and Manzini Sundowns among others.

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