AFTER 11 long years without a major trophy, the Buccaneers finally had their moment of glory on Sunday when they lifted the 8BET Trade Fair Cup after overcoming Mbabane Highlanders in a thrilling final at Mavuso Sports Centre. And what a final it was.
Played in wet conditions, the match had everything one would expect from a cup final in intensity, quality, emotion, drama, passionate supporters and ultimately the nerve-wracking penalty shootout that decided the destination of the trophy.
The attendance was particularly encouraging given the weather. The rain did little to dampen the spirits of football lovers who came out in numbers to support their respective teams. Both sets of supporters sang, danced and cheered throughout the afternoon, creating an electrifying atmosphere inside the stadium.
There is a lot that can be said about the organisation of the tournament, including some areas that clearly require reflection from the organisers. But for now, I will simply choose to focus on the positives and congratulate Moneni Pirates for what was a deserved and memorable triumph.
Both teams came prepared for the final and gave a good account of themselves on the field. It was, in many ways, a match of two halves.
Moneni Pirates were the better side in the first half and deservedly went into the break with the lead. Their goal came through striker Senanelo Nkambule, who produced a moment of individual brilliance against his former teammate goalkeeper Qiniso Nyawo.
Nkambule received the ball, dribbled past two defenders before finding himself in a position to test Nyawo from close range. He knew exactly what he had to do. If you want to beat a goalkeeper of Nyawo’s quality, you have to pick your spot and hit the ball with conviction. Nkambule did precisely that. He unleashed a hard shot that gave Nyawo little chance, putting Pirates ahead and adding another layer of emotion to an already fascinating contest.
The goal was particularly significant because the match featured three players who had only recently been released by Moneni Pirates (Nyawo, midfielder Phila Dlamini and defender Vukile Khumalo). To face their former club barely two weeks after their departure must have been an emotional experience for all three. Not forgetting the coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala, who is also a former Mbabane Highlanders coach. He also wanted to do better against his former side and he achieved that.
For Dlamini, the occasion became even more personal when he scored Highlanders’ equaliser in the second half.
The midfielder released a low ground shot that beat Pirates goalkeeper Bernard Ayikwei, bringing Highlanders level and completely changing the complexion of the match.
Highlanders came back much stronger in the second stanza and showed why they had reached the final. The momentum shifted with the ‘Black Bull’ attacking with greater purpose and putting the Sea Robbers defence under increased pressure. But Buccaneers held firm.
After 90 minutes, the two sides remained locked at 1-1, meaning the prestigious cup would be decided from the penalty spot.
It was the kind of shootout that could have gone either way.
However, Pirates held their nerve. Ayikwei made the crucial save from the first penalty while Highlanders player Hopewell Cele sent another effort over the crossbar. Pirates converted all their penalties they took and that proved decisive. The Buccaneers were champions.
The celebrations that followed were a fitting reward for a club that had waited 11 years to experience this feeling again. You could see the players and supporters dancing with the team’s President Thulani Xaba.
Pirates also swept several of the tournament’s individual awards, underlining their dominance. Biko Sibandze was named Player of the Tournament while Bernard Ayikwei was crowned Goalkeeper of the Tournament. Coach Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala received the Best Coach Award while Meluleki ‘Sluga’ Simelane was named Best PRO.
The Golden Boot was shared by Sea Birds’ Muzi Tsabeze, Mbabane Highlanders’ Nkosivunile Zulu and Pirates’ Biko Sibandze.
Those awards are a reflection of the quality and consistency displayed by the Pirates throughout the competition.
Credit must also go to Highlanders. They accepted the result with dignity after giving everything in the final. Cup football can be cruel, particularly when a match is decided by penalties but the ‘Black Bull’ can take pride in the performance they produced.
The referee and his assistants also deserve recognition. In a match of this magnitude and intensity, the officials managed the game well. There were no glaring misjudgments that took away from the contest and that deserves to be acknowledged.
Most importantly, the players and supporters gave us an entertaining final.
However, while celebrating the success of the tournament, there is one issue that simply cannot be ignored: the scheduling of Green Mamba.
I will not say much about it, except that asking a team to play four matches in a row, including two matches on Saturday is simply unacceptable. Green Mamba ultimately had to play five games in four days.
That is unheard of at this level of football and frankly, it was wrong.
I heard Premier League of Eswatini CEO Pat Vilakati jokingly suggest that Green Mamba should enter the Guinness Book of Records for playing five games in four days.
I understand that the comment was made in a lighter vein, but the matter deserves to be treated with the seriousness it warrants.
Player welfare must always come first.
There were also CAF matches taking place during the same weekend, and one can only imagine how such scheduling would be viewed by the continental football governing body if it were brought to its attention. These are precisely the kinds of decisions that can derail the progress of football.
Hopefully, the organisers have taken note and will learn from this experience.
For now, though, let us celebrate what was good.
The fans came out in numbers despite the rain. The players entertained us. Highlanders fought bravely. Pirates finally ended their 11-year trophy drought.
Congratulations to Moneni Pirates. They came, they competed and in the end, they swept the board.
The 8BET Trade Fair Cup has given us a final worth remembering and, most importantly, it gave football supporters a day of entertaining football.
NSINGIZINI, GREEN MAMBA MUST RISE TO THE OCCASION
LOCAL CAF envoys Nsingizini Hotspurs and Green Mamba may have suffered defeats in their respective first-leg encounters but all is not lost.
Both sides have another opportunity to fight for progression and what they need now is belief, determination and a stronger performance in the second leg.
Nsingizini Hotspurs travelled to Zimbabwe for their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg against Scotland FC and returned home with a narrow 0-1 defeat. While the result was disappointing, the performance itself deserves recognition, especially considering the circumstances.
The Shiselweni-based side were reduced to 10 men as early as the third minute after experienced defender Kingsley Kwayki was shown a red card. It was a reckless tackle, particularly given how early it came in such an important continental fixture. As an experienced player, Kwayki will need to learn from the incident and ensure that such a costly mistake is not repeated.
Despite playing almost the entire match with 10 men, Nsingizini showed tremendous character. They refused to be overwhelmed by their opponents and managed to match Scotland for large periods of the game. That resilience should give them confidence going into the second leg.
Playing at home, Nsingizini still have every reason to believe they can overturn the one-goal deficit. They will need to be disciplined, composed and clinical while also feeding off the support of their home crowd.
Scotland will arrive motivated but Nsingizini can make the return leg a completely different contest.
For Green Mamba, the challenge appears even greater. The Correctional Services side hosted Angola’s 1º de Agosto at Somhlolo National Stadium in the first leg of their CAF Confederation Cup preliminary round tie. Unfortunately, they could not secure the result they wanted at home as they lost 0-2.
Unlike Nsingizini, Green Mamba now face the difficult task of travelling to Angola for the second leg. They will have to double their effort and show immense character if they are to keep their continental campaign alive. The players must believe that the tie is still within reach and approach the match with courage and purpose.
Both teams carry the hopes of Eswatini onto the continental stage. Their first-leg results may not have gone their way but the door is still open.
All the best to Nsingizini Hotspurs and Green Mamba. Fight hard, believe in yourselves and represent the country with pride. The nation will be behind you.
