TRI-UMPHANT ‘BIRDS’

LOBAMBA – It’s a hat-trick of Ingwenyama Cup titles for the magnificent Swallows of Mbabane!

Take a bow Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati and your all-conquering battalions who – with yesterday’s 2-1 victory over Royal Leopard - have now annexed a boutique of nine trophies in the past three seasons and look certain to add the 10th trophy with the ‘Holy Grail’ of the MTN League in less than six weeks’ time as they enjoy a four-point lead with four games remaining. His Majesty King Mswati III, ever so cheerful, joined by Emakhosikati, Deputy Prime Minister Paul Dlamini, ministers, Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) Chief Executive Officer Helmon Vilakati and other dignitaries, was among the over 12 000 strong crowd who enjoyed yesterday’s festivities to the fullest.
Beamed live on pay-per-view channel, SuperSport across the African continent, the Ingwenyama Cup as a spectacle that beautifully combines football, the people’s sport, with culture, the country’s unique heritage, surpassed all expectations so beautifully as if rehearsed for weeks on end.

As those watching across the African continent and some parts of Asia marvelled at the culture competitions, thrilled by the how-not-to-play-football exhibition by Bantfwabenkhosi and Chiefs, the two cup finalist, Swallows and Royal Leopard dished out some scintillating football that somehow lived up to the pre-match billing. It more than advertised the country on all fronts so positively! In spite of the majority on the terraces rooting for the red and white Swallows of Mbabane, it was the motley group of the blue and white brigade who celebrated first with an opportunistic headed goal by defender Machawe Dlamini as early as the time it takes to boil an egg – exactly five minutes. It looked like the police side would finally end the six-match losing streak in all competitions against their nemesis in red and white who had beaten them 2-0 on March 13, 2016 in the finals of the self-same competition.

They even had a Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini’s 46th minute goal disallowed when visually impaired second assistant referee, Gcina Mamba flagged for off-side despite three television replays showing it was a legitimate goal. But as soon as the Swallows’ honey-throated fans, dressed in the beautiful T-shirts emblazoned with the picture of their dearly departed Chairman, Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze, belted their famous song ‘Myekeleni  Aphumule’, Captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze and Co. seemed to have found wind beneath their wings. It was the captain himself, leading by example, with a scorcher from 25 yards out that left Leopard goalkeeper, Phephisani Msibi not only sprawled on the turf like an abandoned kitten but in excruciating cramps. He needed medical attention. Such was the ferocity of the shot – it not only left Leopard bench in perpetual agony but also illuminated the way to victory for the CAF Champions’ League Group stages historic first time participants.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: