‘BULL’, ‘BUFFS’ IN E1.3M BATTLE

MBABANE – The wait is over, as Mbabane Highlanders and Young Buffaloes buckle up for what promises to be a game to remember this afternoon.

Somhlolo National Stadium awaits. Glory awaits.

The two sides will contest the highly-anticipated final, with a whopping E1.3 million at stake. In fact, it is the first-ever cup final meeting between the two teams, and first at any stage in the history of the money-spinning tournament. Both sides go into this afternoon’s clash looking to be the next winners of the prestigious tournament after Mbabane Swallows, who had won in all three previous editions before they were dethroned by Buffaloes.
shook off

Highlanders shook off Malanti Chiefs  with a 2-0 scoreline to earn a spot in the decider while Buffaloes claimed the big scalp of then holders Swallows with the same scoreline. In fact, the security forces ensemble endured tougher obstacles as compared to Highlanders in their journey to the final. After a somewhat easy task against Seven Dreams, Dominic Kunene’s men needed penalties to eliminate Tambuti before another tough test at last year’s runners-up Royal Leopard. Highlanders, on the other hand, had Hub Sundowns, Vovovo, Matsapha and Malanti Chiefs standing in their way.

It is no secret that Highlanders are the hungrier of the two sides after a barren season stretching back to 2010, but their head-to-head record against their rivals does not make for riveting reading. Both league fixtures this season may have ended in stalemates, but Highlanders have failed to beat their opponents since the second round of the 2015/16 season. The score was 1-0.

lose

In front of Highlanders will also be a team who are yet to lose a game in 2019. Their unbeaten run in all local competitions has stretched to 17 matches. They last suffered defeat on November 3 last when they lost 1-3 to Green Mamba in league game.

Highlanders will be minus suspended full-back Sibonelo Dlamini while recruit Phumlani Ngwenya is reportedly cup-tied. However, they will still be spoilt for choice after assembling their most formidable squad in over half a decade. Talisman and South Africa-born talisman Thabiso Mokenkoane as well as countryman in grafter Vusimuzi Zungu will carry the weight of the hard-to-please supporters on their shoulders.

versatile

Skipper Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze and versatile full-back Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze are the only survivors from the Highlanders side that lost 1-3 to Green Mamba in Highlanders’ last appearance in a major final back on April 1, 2012. It was during the EswatiniBank Cup final and Highlanders were captained by the retired centre-back Mlungisi ‘Madzala’ Ngubane. ‘Chocco’ and ‘Sawa’s teammates back then included Hloniphani Ndebele, Msizi Lukhele and Thulani ‘Gadze’ Sibisi, among others.

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