HISTORIC FINAL

MANZINI – Moneni Pirates got some sweet revenge against Nsingizini Hotspurs, sending them packing in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup to set up a first-ever final with Young Buffaloes.
The trophy drought had spanned nearly a decade for the Manzini-based club and three decades in the Trade Fair Cup.

Their last trophy win was in 2015, when they defeated Manzini Wanderers 2-1 in the EswatiniBank Cup finals. Meanwhile, their last victory in this tournament was in 1994, when they beat Green Mamba. Second-half strikes from the skilful Mazwi Sihlongonyane and the experienced Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane ensured they got their revenge against Nsingizini, who had defeated them twice in knockout competitions.

Edged them out

Hotspurs beat them 2-1 in the 2022 MoMo Cup final and also edged them out in the semi-finals stage of the same tournament last year, with a 3-1 scoreline. Nsingizini’s lone goal yesterday came from former Young Buffaloes’ midfielder Bongiswa ‘Pumba’ Dlamini’s stunner outside the box, which was not enough to bring them closer to winning the inaugural 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.  Up E600 000 will be at stake at 3:30pm today when the finalists collide. The ‘Sea Robbers’ of Moneni saw their path to the finals by knocking out Ezulwini United and stunning Royal Leopard.

Meanwhile, Young Buffaloes brushed aside Rangers 4-1 in the semi-final yesterday, eliminated also defending champions, Green Mamba in the last eight, and knocked out Denver Sundowns in the last rounds to reach this stage. Pirates were the superior side from the start of the game before a see-saw.The first half was one of limited scoring opportunities with lots of running. Pirates dictated the first half-hour, having much of the ball, but could not penetrate Nsingizini’s green wall of defence. They surged into Insingizi Yezulu’s territory, usually via Mazwi Sihlongonyane and debutant striker Herve Irie, but lacked a focal point in the box.

Meanwhile, Alexio Sigion’s charges were seeking to bypass midfield, while quickly spraying long balls into the channels upfront, hoping for Junior Zindoga and Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane to make the most of it. However, neither side succeeded in breaking the deadlock until the interval. After the restart, Pirates were quick to hatch their plans, with Mazwi Sihlongonyane putting them ahead in the 48th minute. After an exchange of passes, Sihlongonyane slipped through the defence to unleash a beautiful goal in the near post, tarnishing Felizwe Vilakati’s clean sheet between the sticks. However, it did not take Nsingizini long to respond, as they did against Mbabane Swallows.

They silenced the roaring over 1 000 Pirates fans in their stand.  ‘Pumba’ levelled the matters two minutes later, punishing Pirates’ defence for failing to clear Sambulo ‘Masoso’ Simelane’s cross. Simelane brought a cross from the left flank, and three defenders failed to clear it, as goalkeeper Bernard Ayikwei collided with them. Nsingizini got recharged and fired a few shots in vain to take the lead as the Pirates’ stand fell silent. Sinenkhosi ‘China’ Dlamini was sure he had catapulted his side into the finals after the hour mark, but his goal was disallowed. Masoso, who flicked him the ball, was flagged offside.

Burst into song

Pirates’ stand burst into song just after the 71st minute. This was after Hotspurs’ captain Pius Baffour fouled Sihlongonyane inside the box, who had again slipped through the defence, dashing straight towards the goal post. Magawugawu did not make any mistakes and slotted it into the top right corner, leaving the goalkeeper motionless between the sticks. Nsingizini, known for their knockout competition expertise, put in a desperate effort to salvage the game but could not succeed. They will ‘curtain-raise’ in a Shiselweni Region derby at 1pm for the E75 000 third-place prize. Notably, another Nsingizini team was in South Africa and lost by 1-2 in the semi-finals of the Prince Mangosuthu Cup in Durban.

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