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TWO DAYS TO GO BEFORE LESOTHO OPEN

30/01/2019 00:59:00 BY PHOLSILE HLOPHE

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MBABANE - Preparations are all in line for Eswatini national chess squad who will be competing in the Lesotho Chess Open this Friday.

The three-day event will start on Friday and end on Sunday. According to Eswatini Chess Federation President Dumsani Msibi, the squad of 12 players and two officials will embark on a road trip using private transport on Friday morning and are hoping to reach their destination before the end of the first round.

Assured

Msibi said the Manzini Chess open, which was played over the past weekend, also served as preparations for the Lesotho Chess Open. He promised to bring back positive results judging from the strong squad and mostly high rated players who will be representing the country in the Basotho kingdom.

“Our squad is formed of upbeat players, especially the men’s section. I can assure the nation that we will hoist the country’s flag. Our highest rated player, Fungai Matahwa, promised to be among the top five players in the entire championship, said Msibi.

He said unrated players would get an opportunity to get their ratings. Players who are already confirmed for the championships are Manzini Chess Open defending champion, Mbongeni Mabuza, Candidate Master (CM) Sikhanyiso Sihlongonyane, Fungai Matahwa, CM Similo Hlophe, Thobile Mthethwa, Nokuthula Mkhonta, Nomcebo Sibisi, Qiniso Matsebula, Sandile Motsa, Nduduzo Fakudze and Simphiwe Dlamini.

The federation’s president announced that Eswatini’s queen of chess, Temahlubi Dlamini, would no longer be part of the squad due to academic commitments. Msibi said Dlamini’s parents requested that she be excused from the tournament.

Plans

“Temahlubi’s parents requested that we exclude her from our plans as she has to fully settle in her school and focus on her academic work,” said Msibi.
Dlamini, who is erolled in form IV at Lozitha High School, was crowned the best player during the Manzini Chess Open tournament that was played over the past weekend. She also shared third position with four other players; Sikhanyiso Sihlongonyane, Similo Hlophe, Wandile Simelane and Vuyo Nxumalo.