SOME 2020 SUCCESSES

 MBABANE – Despite 2020 being a challenging year for sports due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were a plethora of winners.

Sports were forced to a complete shutdown in early March and some were given the green light to resume in August and others are still under the lockdown. Athletes had to ditch their training programmes and were forced to train under lockdown.

Despite the COVID-19 challenges, some had good memories of the year as they were winners. Here are some of the highlights of those who triumphed in the year.

Green Mamba 

(Ingwenyama Cup)

The Correctional Service side, Green Mamba, were last in action against Mbabane Highlanders in the Ingwenyama Cup final a week before football was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 13, 2020. Green Mamba won the final 2-0 in front of His Majesty King Mswati III and a crowd of over 12 000 people.

Young Buffaloes 

(MTN Premier League)

When football was suspended on March 13, 2020, Young Buffaloes were top of the MTN Premier League enjoying an eight-point lead over nearest challengers Mbabane Swallows. There were seven games remaining and five months later, Buffaloes were handed the championship.

Raymond, Pennington 

(Professional golfers)

It was victory for professional golfers in 2020 after the revival of the Eswatini Professional Golf Association (EPGA) that was able to organise some tours with two still remaining for January and February. The tours are sponsored to the tune of E10 000 each by the Eswatini Royal Insurance Corporation (ESRIC). Raymond Mathonsi won three of the editions with James Pennington taking home two trophies.

‘Swazi Bolt’, Phumlile 

(Athletics)

The duo of Phumlile Ndzinisa and Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa continue to dominate in athletics. They were back at the podium taking home gold medals after winning in the Athletics Eswatini (AE) Senior National Championships. They both won the 100m and the 200m. That was the only event hosted by AE as road running was suspended. 

Luca and Hayley 

(Swimming)

Swimmers, Hayley Hoy and Luca Fraser were all out in the year 2020 to break records and they did so successfully. They were outstanding before the COVID-19 pandemic in March and they continued with their good form in November with Luca Fraser breaking another record in the first gala to be held after the swimming suspension was lifted. Others who also had a splendid performance in the year included Simanga Dlamini, Robyn Young and Damien De Sousa, who were named best swimmers in the 2019/20 season.

Jabu Vilane (Shooting)

She does not miss the target. She was recently crowned the champion of the Letshego Shooting tournament and she inspired her team, Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) to victory in the state category. Matsapha Shooting team that comprises Sipho Mavimbela, Thembinkosi Fakudze and Musa Simelane also had a wonderful 2020 year.

Morgan Rudd (Cycling)

The 4eva Cycling Club rider was undoubtedly the king of the road this year after winning two major races. He was the winner of the Mandla Simelane Road Classic, which was held in Siteki last month. He was also the winner of the Criterium Race early this month. MTN Khemani’s Muzi Shabangu won the Time Trial early this year.

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