(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Sea Birds………..(0)2
Muzi 48th,79th
Amawele………..(0)0
MANZINI -Manzini Sea Birds launched their new season with a 2-0 victory over Ally Kgomongwe’s Amawele in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup last night.
Having capped off a remarkable 2025/26 campaign by finishing as league runners-up for the first time in their history, Sea Birds underlined their intent with a polished performance at Mavuso Sports Centre. The side to watch this season handed a starting berth to veteran full-back Mncedisi ‘Mpotho’ Dlamini, acquired from Nsingizini Hotspurs, while fellow high-profile recruits Mfundo Kunene and Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, from Malanti Chiefs and Mbabane Swallows, respectively, started on the bench.
Amawele, who grabbed pre-season headlines following the acquisition of their status by Kgomongwe and await name change approval to Mbabane Black Eagles for the 2027/28 season, entered the clash as a closed book with no major signings announced.
The first half proved to be a tightly-contested affair, with both sides crafting a few promising attacks but failing to break the deadlock before the interval.
However, the match burst into life three minutes after the restart. Veteran forward Muzi Tsabedze combined brilliantly with substitute Mayibongwe ‘Suarez’ Mabuza before firing home a ruthless opener to give Sea Birds a deserved lead.
Amawele attempted to claw their way back, creating their best chance just after the hour mark when Wandile Ntsakala forced a brilliant save from Sea Birds shot-stopper Ntokozo Shabangu with an audacious strike from distance.
Sea Birds sealed the victory 11 minutes from time when Tsabedze capitalised on a lapse in concentration at the back, curling a stunning effort from outside the box into the net to complete his brace.
The introduction of ‘Nunu’ off the bench injected extra vitality into Sea Birds’ attack, whereas Amawele ultimately lacked the predatory instincts required to breach the defence.
With this victory, Manzini Sea Birds advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Green Mamba, who progressed effortlessly after opponents Red Rhinos failed to show up.
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