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SUPERSTARS SLAY JAZZ TO EML TITLE

26/11/2018 01:06:00 BY SANELE JELE

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(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Manzini Superstars.........83
Mbabane Jazz.................70

MANZINI – A thriller it was. This is how one can describe the Elite Men League decider pitting defending champions Mbabane Jazz and 2016 champions, Manzini Superstars.

Superstars were the last man standing after beating Jazz 83-70 in a tight game played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday before a crowd of over 200 basketball lovers. This means that Superstars are the champions of the elite league and they will take home a whopping E20 000.The runners-up will receive E12 5000.

Jazz’s chances of defending the title shattered before their eyes after they lost 75-68 in game two. Jazz started brightly on game one which was played on Friday as they recorded a 65-61 win over the Size Nxumalo-led charges, only to surrender to back-to-back defeats on Saturday and yesterday.
The Manzini-based side proved that they wanted it more as in the first quarter, they were leading 17-16 and all thanks to their hardworking Sandlane Zwane who made playing basketball so easy and he marauded effortlessly and scored vital points.

Strong

However, in the second quarters, the Sifiso Nsibandze-coached side came back strong and Jazz took the front foot as they led 34-32 by the end of this stanza.Lwazi Mchobokazi and Jordy Shiba takes the credit for bringing the Mbabane based side to the game.
However, in the third quarter, Jazz were back on the starring wheel again as by the end of the third quarter they were leading 56-54.Captain Tatenda Mtemeri, Daniel Manuel and Tutu Gama all rose to the occasion after getting instructions from head coach, Size Nxumalo.

They fought, scored and massacred the dominant Jazz who have big name players. Some of the respected well-known players from Jazz are former Mbabane Swallows striker, Phinda Dlamini,Mzwandile ‘States’ Vilakati,Mandisa Zwane, Jordy Shiba and the captain Lwazi Mchobokazi.

In the last stanza, when Jazz attempted to come back to the game, the Manzini-based side piled more pressure and scored more points. Jazz’s trusted Mchobokazi and ‘States’ were not at their usual game. Instead, it was Phinda and Shiba who tried their best.
In the end, Superstars’ resilience saw them winning the title.