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GALLANT LEOPARD SALVAGE

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Sir,

 

On Saturday February 28, 2015 history books were written anew as gallant police ensemble, Royal Leopard beat South Africa’s Bidvest Wits to advance to the next stage of the CAF Confederations Cup, a game played at Somhlolo National Stadium. 

With all odds heavily stacked against the locals prior to the game, when considering that they were to overturn a 3-0 scoreline deficit, the never-say-die spirit by the star-studded Ingwemabalabala ensured that the South Africans were sent packing in this prestigious continental competition.

What a dramatic comeback! After a poor showing in the first leg encounter played in Johannesburg a fortnight ago, Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane’s charges came to this game with a perfect game plan- and guess what, the ‘Clever boys’ found the going very tough.

Much against expectations, the locals came firing from all cylinders to give the visitors a run for their money and were able to level matters with a 3-0 victory, and subsequently winning in penalties.

When taking into account the fact that Leopard were not given any chance against the tactically savvy Wits, the scenes of jubilations that erupted at the stadium were really justifiable for the local supporters who had been forced to endure the pain of seeing our teams struggling to go past the preliminary stages of such tournaments over the years.

Indeed Leopard’s victory has salvaged the nation’s pride, and no doubt, we were given a glimmer of hope that the team would repeat the feat they achieved in 2012 where they beat Zambian and DRC teams before they were stopped dead in their tracks by Tunisian giants, Club African in the last 16.

The reigning quadruple champions have the potential of hoisting the country’s flag, provided they do their homework well, something which they failed to do in their first leg encounter against Gavin Hunt’s charges. With a galaxy of stars at his disposal, the Leopard mentor had to prove that they are one of the best teams in the land.

Now that the South Africans were forced to eat humble pie it is high time the locals go back to the drawing board and try to rectify the mistakes that almost cost them this game, especially in the first leg where they were out-classed by the not-so-convincing ABSA Premiership outfit.

It is indeed a sweet victory for the nation moreso because over the years the South Africans have been a hard nut to crack in tournaments of this magitude and were having an upper hand over the locals.

In year 2000 Kaizer Chiefs beat Mbabane Highlanders 6-2 in the Confederations Cup while in 2005 Orlando Pirates also annihilated Mbabane Swallows 7-2  in the CAF Champions League to prove their superiority over Swazi teams.

The likes of SuperSport United and Ajax Cape Town were also once pitted against Swazi teams in such tournaments, and they outclassed the locals to advance to the next stage. And history has it that Wits are the first South African team to be booted out of the CAF Cup by a Swazi team.

As Leopard ran amok to stun the visitors on Saturday I was already reliving the prospects of seeing scenes of jubilation reminiscent to that memorable Sunday of May 19, 2002 when Mbabane Highlanders beat the then Pollen Ndlanya-inspired Orlando Pirates   2-1 in an international friendly match at Somhlolo National Stadium. In games of this magnitude, it is not only the prize money that is at stake but the pride of the nation also forms an integral part.

We can no longer afford to be turned into a laughing stock each time we embark in Africa Cup campaigns, hence it is a challenge for the locals to fight with their boots on just to give the nation something worth appreciating. Let’s take a bow for Ingwemabalabala!

 

Comfort Jele, Hawane

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