LIKE JOBE, ‘IDLALA KAMNANDZI’

Sports Editor
(At Royal Swazi Convention Centre)

EZULWINI – Living up to the Jobe London’s party anthem ‘Jobe Udlala kamnandi’, the 2020 EswatiniBank Cup launch touched the heart-strings of soccer enthusiasts’ in a special way here yesterday.

Regarded as a new AmaPiano sensation; the song, featuring Mphow69 and Kamo Manje, is the new charming slogan for the 17th edition of the EswatiniBank Cup, ‘IDLALA KAMNANDZI’. Like the new music genre, AmaPiano, it is a sharp-witted payoff line that resonates with a tournament that continues to transcend the times, financial challenges, era, expectations with its razzmatazz, scintillating football, upsets and the glut of goals.

The beguiling slogan was a highlight of a glitzy ceremony that once again demonstrated the bank’s Marketing Department, headed by the vivacious Lindiwe Shongwe’s ability to deliver a top notch launch event second to none in the soccer scene. For 17 blissful years, the magical EswatiniBank continues to set the pace for others to follow. Yesterday was no exception, with not only the time factor being key but the Master of Ceremonies Sifiso Chris Mdluli kept the filled-to-the-brim auditorium entertained with his relevant jokes. He could have easily passed with flying colours as a stand-up comedian.
If the slogan ‘IDLALA KAMNANDZI’ really hit the chord, the E1.2 million first prize cheque for the winners this year reflected a E100 000 increment which should set the tone for the tournament which ironically kicks-off on Valentine’s Day – this Friday.

How plausible because, for 17 blissful years, the people’s bank has given so much love to the people’s game (soccer) – unwavering, unyielding and in a true ‘till-death-do-us-part’ marriage vows. Moreover, it was pleasing that in almost every prize category, there was an increment other than the runners’ up prize cheque of E500 000. Clearly, with the EswatiniBank Cup, if you are first, you are first as the game’s favourite’s son, Pele, once opined. The E3.4 million package, which shows an increment of E500 000 in these tough economic times, is another strong show of commitment from the sponsor of their unwavering desire to develop Eswatini football on all fronts.

EswatiniBank Managing Director Zakhele Lukhele’s short and engaging speech ticked all the boxes, especially the plea of Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga in last year’s event on February 4, which teams should be given money to prepare for the opening games in particular. The bank heeded to the minister’s request with the MD gleefully announcing a E10 000 fee to the 32 participating teams before the tournament kicks off to help them prepare. 

This was also a highlight of the minister’s brief speech in which he passed government’s gratitude to the bank for the continued support to the people’s game. The event, lasting a little less than two hours, was ended with a very interesting draw which gives the small teams an opportunity to take head-on the so-called big guns of the country’s football landscape.

This tournament, for 17 years, not only gives an opportunity for the small to dream but it is, without an iota of doubt, a reincarnation of the romantic biblical storyline of the little Davids slaying the lardy Goliaths of local football. As the AmaPiano sensation song lyrics further articulate, SUK’ ENDLELENI JOBE..............indeed from February 14 right up to April 19, it will be suke emabhozeni....er suke endleleni jobe.  But most importantly, the 2020 EswatiniBank Cup IDLALA KAMNANDZI as the new affable slogan suggests!
Let the games begin.................

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