‘BIRDS’ SKIN ‘BULL’ ALIVE!

LOBAMBA – It was as if a tiger had entered the Bull’s kraal, causing every ‘Bull’ to flee for dear life.

This imagery encapsulates the Mbabane derby, where Mbabane Swallows triumphed over Mbabane Highlanders with a resounding 3-0 victory. The standout performance of Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, who scored a brace, propelled the ‘Birds’ into the finals of the sixth edition of the Ingwenyama Cup, this being their fourth final. Over 10 000 passionate supporters, including Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane and Chairperson of the Ingwenyama Cup committee Prince Nhlangabeza, witnessed this derby.

‘Tiger’ scored in each half, while Ayanda Gadlela found the net in the second half, denying the Dumsani ‘Du’ Makhanya-led charges the E530 000 prize for finalists. Caleb Ngwenya’s charges not only avenged their 2020 defeat in the quarter-finals, where they lost 1-0 to Highlanders, but, also secured a spot in the final to face Green Mamba, who had previously defeated them 6-0 in the Trade Fair Cup final at Mavuso Sports Centre during the preseason. Earlier, Green Mamba had a convincing performance against Young Buffaloes, securing a 3-2 victory in the forces derby. The eventual winner of the final will claim a prize of E1.4 million, with the final date yet to be announced. The two sides, Green Mamba and Swallows, have never met in the final of the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund(SMVAF) sponsored tournament. In the past, Swallows won the Ingwenyama Cup three times, at the expense of Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes, while Green Mamba clinched their first title by defeating Highlanders 2-0 in the last edition. The upcoming match promises to be an intriguing showdown, as the two sides prepare to face off.

golden

In the game, Umkhonto Kashaka started brightly, with Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala missing a golden opportunity after skillfully beating Thami Zulu, only for his shot to be saved. Inkunzi Emnyama responded through Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, whose first shot from outside the area missed the target within the first 10 minutes. The red and white side came close to opening the deadlock when Leon Manyisa’s powerful shot was saved by Khanyekezwe Shabalala around the half-hour mark. ‘Tiger’ capitalised on ‘Nunu’s groundwork, the latter who dribbled past defenders, and the former calmly finished a low cross to make it 1-0, sparking jubilation among Swallows’ roaring stand. Swallows continued to press for a second goal, with Nhlanhla Ngwenya dribbling past Vusi Vilakati and unleashing a volley, that forced Shabalala into a save just before halftime.

It’s worth noting that Highlanders had no shots on target in the first 40 minutes, failing to even string together five passes. A promising first attack for Highlanders saw ‘Pupu’ deliver a cross after a sequence of three passes inside the box, but his cross was intercepted by Sandanezwe Mathabela just before halftime. The black and white side seemed to awaken from their slumber in the dying minutes of the first half, as Vusi Vilakati’s cross destined for Kenneth Moloto was cleared off the line by Swallows defenders. Highlanders started to play well in the dying minutes of the first half, with Philani Mkhonto’s volley at the edge of the box being saved by Mathabela.

After halftime, Highlanders coach ‘Du’ opted to bring on Pentjie Zulu for Delisa Gama, and also introduced Menzi Sitholo and Sibusiso Thwala for Kwando Frimpong and Owusu, with the hope of changing the game’s dynamics. However, it was Swallows who extended their lead. Gadlela’s volley from the edge of the box was a thunderous strike that left Shabalala stretching in vain, unable to stop the ball, as it soared into the right top corner. The sheer power and precision of the strike made it a strong contender for the goal of the tournament, igniting scenes of jubilation in the red and white stands, just four minutes after the restart. Sithole’s first touch nearly paid off as he attempted to reduce the deficit, but his effort was saved by Mathabela, leading to a fruitless corner in the hour mark.

impact

Siwakhile Shongwe, introduced in the second half, made an immediate impact with a dangerous volley from the edge of the box, narrowly missing the target by inches. Shongwe’s near-miss had the audience on the edge of their seats. He came in for ‘Pupu’ 15 minutes before full time. Just as Highlanders were endeavouring to score at least one goal for their Director Ally Kgomongwe, who had travelled all the way from South Africa, specifically Pretoria, where he had set aside his busy schedule of election campaigns with his party, the Africa National Congress (ANC), ‘Tiger’ once again unleashed a thunderbolt from 40 yards out, beating the first-choice national goalkeeper with four minutes remaining. The sheer power and accuracy of the strike was a testament to ‘Tiger’s prowess.

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