MBABANE DERBY FOR SWAZIBANK CUP FINAL

MBABANE – After all dreams for the first ever capital city derby final in the SwaziBank Cup were shattered by Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes, it has come out that fans could still see Mbabane Swallows take on Mbabane Highlanders on April 6.

The biggest derby on the land is said to be earmarked to precede the forces’ derby final next Sunday in an effort to attract as many spectators as possible to the final games that will also include Under-20 sides Manzini Sundowns against Malanti Chiefs. Close sources of the  SwaziBank Cup MC have disclosed that the crashing out of Highlanders and Swallows has prompted suggestions of a possible derby clash to curtain-raise for the final between Royal Leopard against Young Buffaloes in the programme of the day next Sunday.

 “Even one of the finalists’ teams agreed that the situation needed to get a huge boost and one way right now was getting Highlanders and Swallows to play a special derby treat sponsored by the bank,” said a source on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, SwaziBank Cup Management Committee Chairman Nichodemus ‘Ace’ Mashwama when reached for comment said for now there was nothing formal.

“Perhaps the matter is being discussed at a higher level than the MC as there is also the Board which consists of the PLS Chairman, FA President and SwaziBank MD. They are the ones who’ll give us direction on what to do next,” he said.
Mashwama said they were fully aware of the forces’ teams not having attractive spectatorship, hence it would be a huge boost to get the two rivals to feature in the final day of the tournament as a special treat to the fans.

“Currently as MC chairman I operate according to the rules and regulations but must say it can have a good impact if this happened. In the end we want to see our games having more spectatorship and this is one way to boost it,” he said.
However, he emphasised that they will be directed by the SwaziBank Cup Board on any changes pertaining to the final. The MC’s Secretary, John Mazibuko, confirmed such speculation saying it was discussed at some level after the games on Sunday.
“It’s nothing much for now but yes, it was an idea discussed informally at the stadium but as an MC, we haven’t met as yet to see what happens after the current situation,” he said.

Mazibuko said the MC would meet this week to discuss the past weekend and the future but the derby issue was among those they would consider to attract more spectators to the final. He said they had a right to recommend to the bank if they felt the need and will do so if they agree as an MC.

Meanwhile, Swallows acting CEO Sibusiso Manana asked not to comment on it as he heard nothing to that effect while a top official at Highlanders said it was hinted to them on the very Sunday but also asked to wait until there was an official element to it.

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