LWAZI DRIVES JAZZ INTO EML TITLE

MANZINI – It only takes three things to be a special player; talent, character and competitive fire.

One Kevin Eastman might have had Mbabane Jazz shooting guard, Lwazi Mchobokazi in mind as he was a darling to watch as he scored vital three pointers to win the game for the Mbabane-based team. Jazz eventually clinched their first championship title under the title sponsor Swazi MTN, who pumped in E250 000 for the league. They came back from behind to beat Manzini Steels 63-51 in a tightly contested match-up at Mavuso Sports Emporium. They were E17 500 richer after winning the tournament, with Steels taking home E10 000 as runners-up. It was not an easy one for Jazz as they had to force the play-off of the Elite Men’s League finals into game three after managing to win Saturday’s encounter by 70-57.The Manzini-based side had won the first final play-off 83-66, only to lose game two and three of the play-offs. Had they won game two, they would have been declared champions on Saturday. It was a matter of how  one finishes for Jazz as they were trailing in the first two quarters but came back strong in the last two quarters to win 63-51, much to the excitement of the over 100 of Jazz fans.

Steels started off strongly as they dominated play. The first quarter score line was 18-13 and they continued with their display into the second set where they finished ahead with the scoreboard reading 28-22, much to the frustrations of Jazz coach Tich Muyambo, who stood for the entire game to motivate his boys to come back into the game. Steels’ John Machava  and Bayeza Manzini were at their best in the first two quarters. Jazz turned the tables in the third quarter as crowd favourite Lwazi Mchobokazi brought his talent, character and competitive fire to the foreground. The shooting guard scored most three pointers in this quarter to change the direction of the game. The visitors started crumbling, with Mzwakhe Phiri missing glorious chances while the opposition gained momentum with stars like Phindafuthi Dlamini, Jordy Shiba and Mzwandile Vilakati coming to the party. By the end of this quarter they were leading by 41-38. The Andile Thwala-led side tried to pile pressure but it was a little too late for them to come back to the game with Jazz firing from all cylinders.

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