2014 SWAZIBANK CUP: WHO WILL IT BE?

Sir,

So, high-riding police side Royal Leopard FC overcame Mbabane Swallows FC to book a place in the final of the lucrative SwaziBank Cup while their rivals Young Buffaloes had to dig deep into their reserves to beat irrepressible Mbabane Highlanders FC to set a first-ever armed forces’ final slated for Somhlolo Stadium on Sunday April 6, 2014.

As I write this, I am quite sure that both finalists are having sleepless nights in preparations for this eagerly-anticipated clash which is expected to be a nerve-wrecking encounter.
As an ardent football fanatic, please allow me, Mr Editor, to make a snap analysis of both teams as the hype towards this encounter grows in intensity.

Royal Leopard FC, or ‘Ingwemabalabala’ as the treasure-hunting police ensemble are affectionately known, boast vast experience in games of this magnitude, having won this tournament two times, in 2007 and 2011.
It does not need one to be an ardent football fanatic to deduce that Leopard is one of the formidable sides in the elite league.
Under the tutelage of Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane, ‘Ingwemabalabala’ has proven to all and sundry that they are a hard nut to crack as they not only reached the SwaziBank Cup final but are also perched at the top spot in the Swazi MTN Premier League.

This is the same team that has already won two tournaments this season, being the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup and the Trade Fair Cup, and they are on the verge of adding more silverware to their trophy cabinet.
On paper Leopard are favourites to clinch the trophy they last won in spectacular fashion in 2011, when they beat Mhlambanyatsi Rovers in a seven-goal thriller, watched by throngs of football lovers on that fateful Sunday of April 3, at the self-same Somhlolo National Stadium.
In the absence of retired seasoned anchorman Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mthethwa, the team seem to have found a suitable replacement in Siboniso Malambe, who seems to be enjoying his role in the belly of the park, combining well with Bongani Sibandze.

Still in a bid to bolster their squad, the SwaziBank Cup finalists acquired the services of players like Sifiso Nkambule, Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini, Sabelo Sangweni and Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo to name only a few, which seemingly was what the doctor ordered as the enterprising young stars  add value to the team.
Manning the poles is none other than the vastly improved short-stopper, Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini. And, of course, you can rule the police ensemble out at your own peril.
Can they beat the formidable army side to lift the trophy for the third time?

Many commentators, on the other hand, have been giving the army side, Young Buffaloes FC, zero chance of reaching the finals of this lucrative tournament.
Although all odds were stacked against them in every passing game, the Mandla Dlamini charges managed to reach the finals, albeit for the first time since the tournament’s inception 11, years ago.

Factors

These are some of the factors that had prompted many people to rule them out and even going into this game, history is against them.
But history aside, ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’, as the team is fondly referred to  by their faithful, will go to this game with one mission; to win the tournament at the expense of their rivals - a feat they have an equal chance to achieve.
Watching them beating fallen capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders in the semi-final, one could deduce that the team has revived the spirit of the 2009/10 season, when they clinched the MTN Premier League title.
Of note is that the team has managed to retain most of the players for years, and has also recruited quality players to add value to their already richly assembled squad.

Indeed, the team’s line-up would be incomplete without mentioning the name of Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene, the former Malanti Chiefs prolific striker who is very sharp in front of goal.
When on form he can cause havoc to the Leopard rear-guard, marshalled by Jerome Ntshalintshali.

In the belly of the park, where battles are won or lost, they will surely rely on the services of the workaholic Nkosing’phile ‘Nyandoro’ Tsabedze; without him the team is like Bob Marley without the Wailers.
To strengthen their squad, the army side will utilise the experience of the former Manzini Wanderers pair of Ndoda ‘Stomach’ Mthethwa and Timothy ‘Timo’ Mathonsi, who are set to give the Leopard wing-backs a torrid time, and will be complemented by the lavishly talented Sifiso ‘Bhiya’ Mazibuko and the fast improving Sifiso Maseko.
Can they really overcome the rampaging Leopard to lift the trophy for the first time?
You can put your bet down, but this promises to be an interesting encounter - Kusenjalo... Washa Thu!

Comfort Jele, Hawane

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