WE’RE IN FINAL TO WIN IT – ‘CHOCCO’

LOBAMBA – Mbabane Highlanders are confident of ending their trophy drought after storming into the Ingwenyama Cup final.

Highlanders, who are without a trophy in nine years, are celebrating their maiden appearance in the Ingwenyama Cup decider following a 2-0 win over Malanti Chiefs at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. They will face Young Buffaloes who stunned Mbabane Swallows with the same scoreline. Reacting to the result, team skipper Xolani ‘Chooco’ Sibandze said they had their sight firmly set on the trophy.

“From the start of the tournament, we told ourselves we wanted to win it. Nothing has changed. “We just have to remain switched on,” he said.
Team coach Saul Chamunika also stressed that they were going for gold regardless of the opposition. He was speaking before knowing their opponents, as Mbabane Swallows and Buffaloes were yet to take to the field of play.

“The players know they have to give us the gold.
“We’ve known we will be playing a strong team, but want this cup,” said the coach who was in charge of Matsapha United when they lost to Young Buffaloes by 2-0 in the 2017 EswatiniBank cup final. Commenting about the game, Chamunika said they took the game to the opposition, but failed to convert chances that would have helped them to score more.

“Malanti came back hard in the second half, as they were more organised.

Lesson

“What is important is that we’ve learnt our lesson. We’ll take the lesson into the final,” he said.
Chamunika was relieved that the terrible injury suffered by versatile defender Vusi Vilakati in the first half did little to derail his troops. Losing coach Raymond Dlamini blamed it on a porous defence.

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