‘SIZIBA’ POOL CHAMP OF CHAMPS

MANZINI – Best of the best!

Motivated by family, Malkerns-based side Way Inn star Zweli ‘Siziba’ Dlamini scooped the first ever Electric Cash Pool Champions League title on Saturday when he sunk veteran pool player Menzi Ngomane in a fierce finals clash. This was at the Manzini Pool Club where the ultimate prize was the gold medal, trophy and a cool E5 000 in cash. Favourite ahead of the final, Dlamini lifted the trophy after winning 13-10. The scoreline reflects that the pair fought it out in 23 frames of exciting and intense moments.

support

Present to support the 26-year-old champion was his one-year-old son Lisakhanya and his mother Khulile Mhlabane, who joined the spectators. Dlamini’s intensions were crystal clear from the onset, winning three frames to make it 3-0. Ngomane retaliated by winning two consecutive frames and they then alternated wins until the 11th frame before taking a five-minute break, with Dlamini leading 7-4.After the recess, Ngomane bagged one point, taking advantage of a free shot following a foul committed by the opponent. Ngomane was at the receiving end of a merciless thrashing when the Way Inn player dominated  the three next frames, putting the score to 10-5 after the 15th frame. Ngomane’s calculated strategy successfully snookered Dlamini in what was an extravagant display of skill but this did not stop the gifted and amazing Dlamini as he swept past the stumbling white ball to sink the blank that was perfectly pitched at the mouth of the sixth hole. The shot sent the handful spectators due to COVID-19 into wild jubilations in appreciation as he comfortably led 10-5.

In a race to 13, Ngomane took one home after Dlamini netted a combination shot but failed to finish off and the left-handed veteran recorded his sixth point. In the 18th frame, the opponents played a stallement and the match official Flag Nxumalo directed them to lag to determine a breaker. Eventually, Ngomane won the break and took home his seventh point, making it 11-7. Just two frames from winning the title, Ngomane humbled ‘Siziba’ and executed two wins as he closed in on the scores to 12-10, causing nervousness among those following the champion. Dlamini aced the 23rd frame, sinking the black and cemented his dominance in the tournament as he was officially crowned champion to take home E5 000 cash prize, gold medal and the trophy.

participated

“Thank you to all the players who participated. There is always a next time but I am so happy that my family came to support me. Thank you to our sponsors and everyone who made this tournament a success,” a jubilant Dlamini said after the prize presentation. Gracious in defeat, Ngomane, who came so close to a comeback to stun ‘Siziba’ said he would have to try his luck in the next champions league. He congratulated the champion and commended him for a good game. “I want to thank Electric Cash, Bitcoin Vault and all the other sponsors for supporting the game. I had hoped that this would be my retirement but its back to the table for me because I want to retire after winning the champions league,” Ngomane said. The prize presentation was conducted by pool player and sponsor Sithembiso ‘Dodge’ Matsebula who presented the top eight players including semi-finalists, runner-up and the champion.

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