A SCINTILLATING CHARITY CUP DRAW

My dearest readers... In describing the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup, former Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Chairman Dr Tambo Gina once said: “SPTC is doing good without losing money.”

How true!
But it is the words of former SPTC Managing Director Nathi Dlamini, during the launch of the 2009 edition at Royal Villas that touched my heart. Borrowing the wise words of philosopher Woodrow Wilson, the ‘Champion’ first took a sip from a glass of water, posed for some seconds. I think the wind outside the Royal Villas stopped to blow, his words touched the cockles of our hearts.

“We are not here merely to make a living and create value for our shareholders. We are here to enrich the world and make it a finer place in which to live. We will impoverish ourselves if we fail to do so,” the eloquent former MD ended his speech with the quotable quote. It was a salient moment. If you could not be touched by his words, then surely you were a devil’s disciple. If his words could not make your blood boil, then clearly you were an Eskimo, I dare say.

With my head spinning after a rendezvous weekend and hyperbole celebrations of my beloved Orlando Pirates 6-5 penalty win over the noisy neighbours from Soweto in the Carling Cup, it was strenuous having to wait until ungodly hours for the final results of the tele-voting. Larger-than-life colleague, Dumisani Ntiwane had, as early as 4pm, predicted that nothing will change from the top six table and I should have heeded his warning and got my well deserved rest. But those ‘citizens’ from the social networks had apparently set the cat among the pigeons that Highlanders, who missed out again for the second consecutive time, had pumped in 200 000 votes to leapfrog both Mbabane Swallows and ‘party gatecrashers’ Manzini Sundowns at around 5pm.

The unwritten rule in the award-winning Sports Desk is always to verify facts and not take everything at face value. We know a story, as once articulated by William Shakespeare, told by a fool is always full of sound and fury but signifying nothing. It turned out to be a hoax.  You would have long noticed that we have no time and space for rubble rousers looking for cheap publicity.

The charlatans know where to find those who believe their balderdash and codswallop. We checked our facts and found that it was typical of the ‘citizens’ of social networking sites, who true to the old saying of an idle mind being a devil’s workshop, had found something to make fun of.
We waited until midnight when the final votes results came through and indeed Mbabane Highlanders, the one-time aristocrats of Swazi football, had missed out for the second consecutive time. I will address this later.

For starters, congratulations to all six teams who have made the cut to this year’s event and again, for ensuring the targeted one million votes is achieved. This time it even surpassed last year’s tally of 1 072 339 by a massive 59 892 votes. This year’s total votes of 1 132 231 is the second best tally since the tournament started 12 years ago. It is only surpassed by the highest tally ever - 1 583 988 - in 2012. If truth be told, this year’s tele-voting picked up very late and there were a lot of concerns that the target might not be met. The blame game once again started with most teams blaming – rightly so – the armed forces sides who apparently use the same strategy of having their employees donate E100 each.

For the reason that the armed forces have the numbers they obviously stand a better chance to qualify. In their case, they can say it is the ‘fans’ who are doing the voting yet for the rest of the teams, the fans have literally left it on the hands of the team bosses to vote. As a result, it has killed the excitement of the tele-voting exercise. Having covered each and every Charity Cup since it began in earnest in 2002, I can safely say the first two editions were genuine fans voting and since then it has turned into a bidding exercise of how deep the pockets of the respective team directors or owners are. Whether this exercise or format is sustainable going forward is a subject for another day.

One thing is certain, the draw for this year’s tournament has handed down some scintillating fixtures. The Royal Leopard versus Manzini Wanderers fixture is a repeat of last year’s play-off which was decided by a well struck Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo’s 51st minute strike. It felt like a stab in the hearts of those who worship with the ‘Weslians’.

Then of course the Manzini Sundowns versus Mbabane Swallows clash. Who can forget Leonard Bongso’s glancing header, the 72nd minute winner which sent the ‘Birds’ packing out of the tournament after missing countless gilt edge chances. The main culprit on the day being dreadlocked striker Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe, who had not made matters any better by being linked with a move to Sundowns’ and then being quoted praising Sundowns professionalism. Today he is a golfer.

The Swazi Telecom Charity Cup being a season opener will give us an indication of what is in store in the new season. My gut feeling is that the armed forces sides will dominate once again this season. For me the battle for honours, starting with the Charity Cup, will be between Green Mamba and Royal Leopard. Leopard are fresh from the Uthukela Cup where they did very well, losing 3-2 in the final against South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) outfit, Free State Stars. They have maintained the same squad and the addition of the City’s duo of Mthunzi Mkhonto and Maqhawe Dlamini will leave coach, Sifiso ‘Nuro’ Ntibane with an embarrassment of riches in his squad.

He is spoilt for choice. Green Mamba acquiring temperamental coach, Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati to knock them back into shape might prove a master-stroke. They have had an intense preseason training. Manzini Wanderers with a new coach in Malawian mentor Charles Manda, reportedly recommended by former player/coach Kina Phiri, are a work in progress. New changes in management structure, a litany of coaches from development to the senior team, the ‘Weslians’ are putting their house in order. 

If they get their most treasured signings, Sihle Ndaba and Leonard Bongso, they could challenge for honours. Nothing much has been heard from Manzini Sundowns besides losing the talented Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and perhaps they will surprise us as they did on the tele-voting, making a late surge to qualify for the tournament. Young Buffaloes are the same swashbuckling side though there are still a lot of question marks on the quality of their technical bench where coach, Mandla ‘Sitofu’ Dlamini currently holds fort.

 I can see you nodding fiercely in agreement Army Commander, Sobantu Dlamini. Whether ‘Sitofu’ can last half a season, your guess is as good as mine. Mbabane Swallows have had their worst preseason since they dominated local football in recent years. As things stand, they have no coach worth the tag and for once they have not engaged in any preseason tournament with big name teams as we have seen over the years when they have gone on to win trophies.

With those facts on the table, my gut feeling is that the armed forces sides will once again dominate this season.
I am not about to open the armed forces being bad for our football debate but we all know what this means to our football.
I rest my case. Let the games begin………

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