‘BUFFS’, LEOPARD PRIMED FOR EPIC FINALE

IT does not get better than this. To attempt to quantify the singular most important moment of the EswatiniBank Cup Solo Inje edition final would be akin to wandering into a rice field to look for the tastiest grain.

Before a possible capacity crowd at Somhlolo National Stadium this afternoon will be two teams who have done their homework this season. They deserve to play on this stage.  Holders and back-to-back champions Young Buffaloes meet three-time winners Royal Leopard in what promises to be a blockbuster.  On top of security forces derby bragging rights and a CAF Confederation Cup ticket; there is a dangling E1.1 million ‘carrot.’
It is a repeat of the 2014 decider. Leopard, who were under the tutelage of Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane then needed extra time to shake off a rigid Buffaloes with a 3-1 win. Their recent meeting in this tournament was in the past year’s quarter-finals when Dominic Kunene’s troops needed a late Phiwa Dlamini’s strike to march to the next round.

minimum 15 times

From the 2013/14, season, the sides have met a minimum 15 times in all competitions, with seven games ending in stalemates.  Leopard prevailed five times while Buffaloes celebrated three wins.
In the current campaign, Buffaloes beat Leopard by 3-2 in the quarter-finals of the Ingwenyama Cup early this year. In the league, spoils were shared with a 1-all draw.  
The statistics say a lot about fixtures between these sides. They are always close. This makes the form book to be thrown out of the window.

Both teams have stars who can steer their respective sides to glory. Striker Barry Steenkamp is undoubtedly a match winner for the police side. He tends to rise to the occasion when it matters the most. He did not only find the back of the net in the last two rounds of the tournament, but was an influential member of the 2014 squad. He scored during that game.

On the flip side of the coin, there is attacking midfielder Sandile Gamedze, who is in scintillating form this season for Buffaloes. He is contender for the Player of the Series, as he dishes out grand performances week in and week out.
About half of the players who inspired Leopard to the championship in 2014 are out of the picture, but it will be no train smash as other stars who include Sifiso Matse and the impressive Tsabedze twins Lungelo and Fanelo, among others, have emerged.  Some of Leopard’s 2014 stars who will be absent this afternoon include Sabelo Sangweni, who scored the third goal and the likes of Siboniso ‘Rocco’ Malambe, Jerome Ntshalintshali, Bongani ‘Chicken’ Sibandze, John Gama and Sizwe Khumalo. Buffaloes, on the other hand, have a core of their 2014 squad. Players no longer in the spotlight include Timothy Mathonsi, Muhle Dlamini, and Sifiso ‘Tjovitjo’ Maseko.

For Leopard coach Edwin Matsebula, he hopes to continue to be the broom which sweeps the cleanest in his bid to win his first trophy in top flight football. Dominic Kunene, on the other hand, is used to playing on this stage, but will still have pressure to keep his troops’ 2019 flawless record intact. They are unbeaten in 18 matches in all competitions.
The stage has been set for what promises to be an epic finale. Will it be triple delight for Buffaloes, or do Leopard have a sting in their tail?

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