Home | Sports | ‘BUFFS’ SEEK REVENGE IN BLOCKBUSTER

‘BUFFS’ SEEK REVENGE IN BLOCKBUSTER

03/02/2019 08:48:00 BY ASHMOND NZIMA

Font size:

MBABANE – Who wants it more? The rhetorical question will be answered by at least 6pm today. It is the big one. The stage is set for one of the tournament’s biggest occasions. Clashes between the two rivals are always special and there is added spice in this one with a spot in the big dance on the line. The match will also serve as the clearest insight into how Swallows are faring in their new era, as they are headed by a new man in the dugout in Musa Manyatsi.

A win for either team could do wonders for confidence.
Swallows, who are holders and three-time champions, have dominated this fixture. It is a repeat of the 2016/17 (second edition) final. The capital city giants won by a 27th minute Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa header back on February 5, 2017.

resilience

The red and white ensemble showed class and resilience in dispatching Buffaloes back then.
Musa Manyatsi’s men are out to stretch their unbeaten run in the tournament to 19 matches, as they are yet to lose a match since the launch of the competition in 2015. They shook off Young Movers, Rangers and Manzini Sundowns en route to the last four. They have shown patches of tantalising attacking intent.

Grafter Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, as well as wingers Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko and skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze appear to be hitting their stride and all three could prove to be different in sending Swallows to a back-to-back final.
Buffaloes, who are inspired by the likes of enterprising midfielders Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu and Sandile Gamedze as well as forward Phiwa Dlamini, are on a crest of a wave. Their unbeaten run in all competitions has stretched to 11 matches. However, they know they have to be at their best to overturn their unwelcome record against Swallows.

With Swallows still picking up the pieces following a 1-2 setback at Manzini Wanderers in the league, it is the perfect opportunity for Dominic Kunene’s men to put a stop to the opponents’ dominance. Swallows beat Buffaloes 3-1 on penalties during a semi-final meeting of the Charity Cup in August last year. The security forces boast a balanced squad to do the required job on the day.