FOUR-MIDABLE ROYAL CHAMPS

CHARITY CHAMPIONS: Royal Leopard celebrate after being crowned champions of the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup. They beat Manzini Wanderers 2-0 in the final to defend the title at Somhlolo National Stadium. (Pics: Ntokozo Magongo)

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Wanderers.................................(0) 0
Leopard.....................................(1) 2
Chaka 5th, Tokyo 88th

LOBAMBA – There was no stopping Royal Leopard, who did not only defend the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup, but became the first team to win it for the fourth time.

The police side was dazzling in front of the about 15 000 sold out crowd that was graced by the presence of His Majesty King Mswati III, as they beat Manzini Wanderers, who had caused the biggest shock earlier in the day, beating Mbabane Swallows on penalties; despite parading a relatively new look side.

However, facing the blue and white side, that is becoming more and more invincible in the final, was always going to be a task too cumbersome to achieve.
Tried they did, but they were outplayed. Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini was a thorn in the flesh each time he was in possession. He had a role to play in both goals scored by left back Sikhumbuzo ‘Chaka’ Ntimane and Mathokoza ‘Tokyo’ Thwala at the opposite end of the game.

Wanderers suffered the consequences of having a thin squad and coach Anthony Mdluli mentioned that they were still to register nine new players.
As if that was not enough, the team seemed to have given it all against a Swallows that had came from 2-0 down to force the game to the penalties. The physical and mental fatigue was there for all to see in the final.
It took Leopard five minutes to surge ahead. ‘Manyovu’ controlled outside the box and his stinging shot was parried for a corner kick by Mbongeni Motsa. From the resultant corner, Chaka blasted into the roof of the net at 10 yards.

Hero

The hub giants were still trying to get into the match, and the absence of semi-final two-goal hero Ali Matse, who started from the bench, compounded their situation. Coach Mdluli was forced to bring him on earlier in the game, for Thokozani Dlamini.
He made an immediate impact as he initiated a move that ended with a free kick at 23 yards out.
Left back Ayanda Kunene picked Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe at 13 yards, whose glancing header hit the upright. Matse reacted quickly from the rebound, but Goalkeeper of the Tournament Phephisani Msibi, on debut for the police side, pulled a daring one-handed save to clear the goal-bound shot, just when the hordes of Manzini Wanderers supporters and sympathisers were celebrating a goal.
The shot-stopper’s bravery also prevented danger when he moved off his line on time to deny Taribo from a clever cross from Aladain Kola on the right flank. He had to be treated for sometime, for the collision with the striker.

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