A CUP FINAL NOT FOR THE FAINT-HEARTED

My dearest readers ... In my next life, I will seriously consider being a sangoma because this State-of-the-Nation-Sports-Address (SONSA) two weeks ago predicted an all-security forces final after the quarter-final draw.

My prediction was ostensibly borne out by the undeniable fact that the security forces teams are back on football’s top table and boy, they are still to dominate. I trekked down to sleepy Nhlangano on Sunday morning, knowing quite well, Manzini Sundowns would fight tooth and nail but end up with the wooden part of the spoon. Indeed, fight to the bitter end, ‘Basop IKappa Kappa’ did, outplaying their more illustrious opponents at some stages of the energy-sapping, exhilarating semi-final clash against the in-form Young Buffaloes, who have now gone 17 games in the new year unbeaten in all domestic competitions. But as fate would have it, they were booted out in the dreaded lottery penalties.

The army side goalkeeper, Nhlanhla Gwebu, became the instant hero, saving two meekly-taken penalties from Sundowns captain Phumlani Dlamini and Linda Maphalala to ensure the EswatiniBank Cup back-to-back champions stormed into their third successive cup final of the country’s most loved tournament. It will be the army side’s fourth EswatiniBank Cup final appearance having lost the previous one, the 2014 edition, 3-1 to the self-same Royal Leopard.

semi-final

It did not need a rocket scientist to deduce that an all-security forces final was on the offing given that the first semi-final pitted Green Mamba against Royal Leopard. Ordinarily, this was the ‘pick of the semi-final draw’ and indeed it lived up to its pre-match billing with some enterprising play from both teams.

On face value, the decision by the EswatiniBank Cup Management Committee to shift the games to Nhlangano worked wonders as slightly over 1 000 fans cascaded to the modest venue. By a long mile it was better than the 200 fans who watched the double-header quarter-final at Somhlolo National Stadium last week Saturday where each team got a measly E240 – equal to Khulubuse Zuma’s double tot of Johnnie Walker Blue in the swanky Sandton’s Taboo.

Royal Leopard not only avenged their 0-2 league loss to Green Mamba at Mhlume’s Nsukuwansuku Stadium on 27 March but the police side will also make a historic fifth cup final appearance in the 16-year chequered history of the magical tournament. As things stand, Leopard, together with sickle-as-parrot Mbabane Swallows, have won the tournament three times – 2007 (beating Manzini Sundowns 1-0, 2011 (beating Mhlambanyatsi Rovers 4-3) and then beating Young Buffaloes 3-1 on April 6, 2014.

To ensure a capacity crowd, the sponsor, EswatiniBank, paid Midnight Starring’s Busiswa to come and perform during the final. Of course, they need to bring another popular SA artist to woo the crowd to the final again.

strongest

As it is, perhaps it was meant to be that the 2019 EswatiniBank Cup final set for May 5 at Somhlolo National Stadium will be contested by two of the country’s strongest sides. Separated by four points on the MTN log standings with Leopard on pole position and Buffaloes on the third spot, this cup final will not be for the faint-hearted. Buffaloes have not really recovered from the 2014 edition final 3-1 loss and being reigning champions they also have an opportunity to create a little history of their own – winning the tournament three times in a row.

Together with the fallen giants of Eswatini football, Mbabane Highlanders, the army side hold the distinction of having won the EswatiniBank Cup back-to-back in 2017, beating Matsapha United 2-0 and then beating Manzini Wanderers 2-1 in last year’s cup final. Highlanders, the country’s most successful team – with 12 league titles under their ‘horn’ – won it in 2009 (beating Manzini Wanderers 2-1 courtesy of two identical sweetly-struck Khayelihle ‘Karas’ Dlamini free kicks in the tournament’s biggest cup final yet) and then in 2010 when they beat Umbelebele/Jomo Cosmos 1-0.

Lest we forget, they are also the reigning Ingwenyama Cup champions and still in the running for the coveted league title. Can Buffaloes win an incredible treble? Or will Royal Leopard eclipse them and be on the threshold of a fantastic double?

favourites

On the balance of play, the army side will be hot favourites to win it. They are unbeaten in the domestic front in 17 games this year and have not lost to a local side since they were beaten by Green Mamba in a league clash as way back as November 3. With the manner they strung Mbabane Highlanders in the Ingwenyama Cup final on March 17, as if they were Toni Braxton’s Spanish Guitar, it is unthinkable they can let the opportunity to add another E1 million in their kitty pass by. Mind you, they are already guaranteed E2 million this season even if they were to lose all remaining games.

See our back page story. Now let me play a devil’s advocate. When the clock strikes 6pm on Sunday, May 5 at Somhlolo National Stadium, His Majesty King Mswati III will once again hand over the glittering trophy to a familiar face – Mphile ‘Nyandoro’ Tsabedze amidst firecrackers that will be louder than a 21-gun salute at the Mbuluzi Barracks!

Solo Inje!

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