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Cometh the hour, neareth the minute!

05/08/2013 04:40:00 BY DUMISANI NTIWANE

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Will this year’s Swazi Telecom Charity Cup be an all forces final? That is the question doing the rounds as Mbabane Swallows are the only other team to battle it out during the tournament’s semi-finals.

Police outfit, Royal Leopard meet Correctional Services ensemble Green Mamba, while army side Young Buffaloes will square up against Mbabane Swallows in the second semi-final at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

The tournament promises once again to have all the thrills and is definitely not to be missed.
Enjoy the read as we analyse each of the four teams.

Leopard should be wary of venomous fangs

Royal Leopard vs Green Mamba
(Somhlolo National Stadium 9am)

ROYAL LEOPARD
(Want a second triumph)

Swazi Telecom Charity Cup record: Champions - 2006 Coach: Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane Captain: Mxolisi ‘Stopper’ Mthethwa Key players: Barry Steenkamp, Siboniso Malambe and Sifiso Nkambule
One to watch: Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo Chances: ‘Ingwe Emabalabala’ as the police ensemble are affectionately known have had to play two energy sapping games against the same team to reach this stage of the tournament.
It could be a boost for them psychologically.

They had to play Manzini Wanderers twice after the initial game was called off due to the poor lighting system at Somhlolo National Stadium.
Even then, they had appeared to have had wrapped up the encounter when they surged into a 2-0 lead early in the last half before going to sleep to allow Wanderers to score a late equaliser via the boot of striker Sidumo Shongwe.

They know they cannot afford to sleep against their opponents, Green Mamba on Sunday. New coach Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane has the perfect opportunity to endear himself to the Leopard family by leading them to Charity Cup glory in only his first official assignment.

GREEN MAMBA
(Dark horses)

Swazi Telecom Charity Cup record: First time participants
Coach: Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini
Captain: Siyabonga ‘Msholozi’ Mdluli
Key players: Njabulo Thwala, Musa Dlamini and Phumlani Ngwenya
One to watch: Welile Maseko

Chances: Judging by their preseason intensive training, which included playing a number of international friendly games outside the country, new coach, Gcina ‘Magiyane’ Dlamini could unveil a monster on the day of the tournament.
He and his boys have been silently going about their preparations, hence are definitely the tournament’s dark horses.

They could just pop up unnoticed to steal the glory from the rest of the favourites. They will not be deterred by the fact that they have qualified for the tournament for the first time in its 12-year history. They know nothing is impossible. Manzini Sundowns did it in 2011 when they qualified for the first time but went on to lift it in spectacular style.

Having assembled what stands out to be their best squad since the days of Sicelo ‘Wire’ Mazibuko and Mphushanya Manyatsi, this is surely their dream team. As earlier stated they could go all the way with the squad at their disposal.