MANZINI CENTRAL CHAMPIONS

LOBAMBA – Manzini Central High School triumphed over Evelyn Baring High in an entertaining match to clinch the Instacash Schools Soccer Tournament championship title.
This clash was witnessed by a crowd of over 3 000 yesterday afternoon.

The Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) hosted the event at Somhlolo National Stadium, where Manzini Central pupils experienced elation after FIFA-accredited referee Thembinkosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini blew the final whistle. The pupils erupted in jubilation, cheered on by thousands of fellow Central pupils, while the Nhlangano-based Evelyn Baring High School players were dejected after their second consecutive loss in the Instacash final, trudged off the field, tears streaming down their faces. The match was thoroughly dominated by the home side from the start, with Quality Dlamini scoring two goals in the first half, including a long-range stunner from box-to-box midfielder Phumlani ‘Bin’ Shongwe and a deft header from Manzini Wanderers player Mthobisi Zwane, that left many questioning whether the ball had indeed crossed the line.

After the interval, Quality made sure Evelyn Baring would not find a way back into the game, adding a goal with a well-struck half-volley. Manzini Central extended their lead with a fifth goal scored by Innocent Pakula, a defensive midfielder from Moneni Pirates, who converted a well-taken penalty. Manzini Wanderers’ Menzi Dludlu sealed the victory with a last-minute goal in added time, increasing the final tally to an emphatic 6-0. Evelyn Baring’s only goal, scored by Bandile Ntshalintshali, proved too little, too late. The lucrative tournament which was the second consecutive year of sponsorship from Instacash, following a successful E350 000 contribution in the previous year saw the company the Managing Director Mandla ‘Cheeks’ Nxumalo, congratulated the Instacash Schools Soccer 2024 champions Manzini Central, as well as all the teams that participated in this grand tournament.

“We commend the Eswatini Schools Sports Association (ESSA) for their diligent and professional management of this year’s tournament. We are truly impressed by the level of football demonstrated by the high schools, and were honoured to have scouts from top leagues present at the finals.‘‘We recognise the potential for a career in sports to be lucrative, and we hope this tournament will identify talented players who can thrive in the long term. We also encourage all schools to utilise our mobile-based payment platform, Instacash, for their collection and disbursement needs,” he said.

Meanwhile, for their dominant victory, Manzini Central was awarded a cash prize of E30 000, a trophy, and gold medals. The runners-up, Evelyn Baring, received a consolation prize of E20 000. Elangeni High School secured third place after a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Ndzangu High School, earning E10 000 in prize money. Ndzangu High School, despite their defeat, was also rewarded with E5 000 in prize money, recognising their efforts in reaching the third-place playoff.

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