FOND MEMORIES

MBABANE – The SwaziBank Cup semi-finals have come and gone – there is no Mbabane derby final even though one would have sworn at the Somhlolo National Stadium this past Sunday that Mbabane Highlanders were playing their rivals Mbabane Swallows.

Most had prayed and hoped for both Mbabane sides to meet in the final on April 6 but instead, they will now watch the forces’ derby between Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes who beat Swallows and Highlanders respectively. However, below we take you through some of the best moments on the day. Enjoy as Kusenjalo...Washa-thu!

1. The crowd
It was such a great atmosphere and interesting experience to be part of the over 7000 crowd at the stadium which raked in over E200 000 in gate collections. It was one sight to behold seeing rival fans Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows taking on the other through song and chanting of slogans on their opposite grandstands.

2. Minister ‘Cruiser’s presence
Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala also joined the massive crowd, the best so far in this year’s tournament to witness the semi-finals. It was good to see him flashing a smile when his side Royal Leopard scored their second goal to beat Swallows 2-0.

3. The Goals
The first semi-final between Young Buffaloes and Mbabane Highlanders was exciting, energy-sapping and full of action from one end to the other with great football possession football on display. Two of the four goals scored made it even more intriguing – what do you make of the Buffaloes’ first goal by Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene and then the Highlanders’ second by Lungelo Tsabedze, great goals indeed!

4. The Players’ Celebrations
One of the best celebrations on the day came from Mbabane Highlanders’ Lungelo Tsabedze whose scorcher from the edge of the box against Buffaloes could easily stand for the goal of the tournament – the celebration with his coach Basil Petersen was quite something, unique if anything.

5. Shongwe and Khuphuka and MJ Boyz’ Performances
If you missed the two performances by these two groups, then you did not see anything in as far as music entertainment is concerned. Shongwe and Khuphuka had everyone dancing as he gave away his CDs to the crowd. Even referees like Thulani Sibandze were touched as they could not help but dance. Then came the MJ Boyz – the guys have matured as they put up yet another solid performance which the fans immediately loved.

6. Highlanders’ and Leopard fans’ friendship
One would have sworn Highlanders had just won the tournament if their wild celebrations and cheers after Leopard beat their sworn rivals Mbabane Swallows 2-0 were anything to go by. The Highlanders’ supporters started while the game was playing, singing all kinds of songs to mock Swallows with one including the stadium lights being functional – the rivalry between these two goes on. Highlanders celebrated with Leopard after the match as they invaded the field of play in sheer jubilation.

7. Stadium lights early switch on
It was interesting and reassuring to see the stadium’s floodlights come on 22 minutes into the first half of the Swallows/Leopard game as this ensured the over 7000 crowd stayed to watch the game to the end – no fear of a repeat of last weekend’s quarter-final shame. The time was around 5pm and the sun was still conspicuous but a good move it was!

8. Leopard’s coach ‘Nuro’s celebration
It was quite an emotional but understandable celebration by Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane who immediately after the last whistle went to the touchline, knelt down on the turf and looked up to the sky in prayer – God is great indeed!

9. The Man of the Match Awards
It is always an honour for players when after a great match they are rewarded with the Man of the Match Award. For the second time in the tournament this year a goalkeeper, Young Buffaloes’ Sicelo Mkhwanazi, won it after two penalty saves against Highlanders whose goalkeeper Sandile Kunene won the previous week. In the other game Royal Leopard’s defender Sifiso Nkambule won  the E2 000 worth award.

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