WONDER-BULL!

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

LOBAMBA – The 2020 EswatiniBank Cup not only idlala kamnandzi but even loves them big because the harder they fall.

2018 EswatiniBank Cup losing finalist, Manzini Wanderers crashed out of the exciting tournament after being put to the sword by a workmanship-like Mbabane Highlanders in a 2-0 defeat on a distinctively chilly afternoon at the country’s soccer Mecca yesterday in emphatic fashion.

revenge

It was sweet revenge for the ‘Black Bull’ who were beaten with the same score-line by the ‘Weslians’ on 15 April 2018 in the semi-finals  on the way to the finals where the hub giants came out with the wooden part of the spoon as they went down 3-1 to three successive reigning champions, Young Buffaloes.
After a heart-warming first half performance in which they created a plethora of goal-scoring chances but failed to utilise them.

Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe’s charges hard work was undone by a fortuitous goal by South African striker Josef Letifa – where the ball seemed to hit the striker rather than him heading it in a typical scenario when luck being when preparation meets opportunity – in the 47th minute and a 57th minute glancing header by Banele Ndzabandzaba. 

It was the highlight of a drizzling afternoon where earlier Moneni Pirates had to dig deeper into their reserves of courage to outwit a hard fighting Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows in a 2-1 victory. Thanks to the club’s longest serving player and captain Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane’s well taken brace in the 16th minute and 85th minute, sandwiched by a sweetly struck Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze’s free kick to level matters in the 38th minute. The Moneni Buccaneers, 2015 Champions of the tournament, were on cloud nine at the sound of Wandile ‘Mancane’ Magagula’s final whistle.

dignitaries

Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, EswatiniBank Managing Director Zakhele Lukhele, Eswatini Football Association (EFA) president Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa, Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) chairman Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula joined other dignitaries in the Royal Box as the final round of the Last 16 games were staged yesterday.

True to its niche as a ‘Cup of Upsets’, the EswatiniBank Cup Last 16 stage had set the tone on Saturday when last year’s losing finalists Royal Leopard were booted out of the tournament by National First Division side Madlenya 1-0 at Mayaluka Stadium. Yesterday, as history will reflect, Highlanders 2-0 over Wanderers was not just sweet revenge for the 15 April 2018 semi-final loss with the same scoreline in the self-same tournament but it puts those of the black and white persuasion among us on the pedestal of domestic treble having won the EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup back on August 11, in the finals of the richest tournament in the land, the Ingwenyama Cup against Green Mamba on March 8 and now, in the quarter-finals of the EswatiniBank Cup. Small wonder, yesterday, they celebrated like nobody was watching, dripping wet in the drizzling rain after sending a statement of intent with a 2-0 win over hapless Wanderers.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: