Sihlangu lose, miss Bafana final
M- The Eswatini National Tennis Association (ENTA) has come out to say the continued support by SBS has cushioned their rural programme outreach.
This was said by ENTA President Derick Jele during the Swaziland Building Society (SBS) sponsorship launch in Malkerns on Thursday. The event was attended by SBS Managing Director Mbali Sibanyoni, General Manager Leonard Dlamini, Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eswatini Sport and Recreation Council (ESRC) Darius Dlomo, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Eswatini Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (EOCGA), Maxwell Jele.
After SBS announced their sponsorship package to the tune of E150 000, ENTA, through the president thanked SBS for the generous support they had once again shown to tennis in Eswatini. He highlighted the relationship dated back to 1999.
Jele said their tennis calendar was looking strong for both junior and senior tennis. “We look forward this year to hosting an international seniors’ tournament which will attract players from most SADC countries,” he said.
Jele also said they were spreading
SBS Leonard Dlamini (L) handing over the gift to Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Harries ‘Madze’ Bulunga during the SBS sponsorship launch in Malkerns on Thursday.
their outreach through junior development. “We can report that we now engage schools in all regions of the country. In my last visit to the managing director (MD), she indicated that the tennis association should include rural communities in its development plans,” he said.
Jele pointed out that they were happy to report that their programmes and tennis equipment were now visible in rural areas like Kontshingila and Hluti in the Shiselweni District. “With your continued support we will expand our rural outreach. We are grateful that this relationship has continued unbroken over the years and continues with the present MD we are grateful to you and your team for keeping this relationship alive and strong,” he further said.
Jele mentioned that the association had grown in leaps and bounds. “We are proud to have a home for tennis based in Lobamba and called Swaziland Building Society Tennis Centre which has played host to many local and international tournaments,” he said.
The president also highlighted that their survival had been largely dependent on the partnership with SBS. Meanwhile, EOCGA CEO Maxwell Jele congratulated ENTA for having received another sponsorship from SBS. “We do hope the association will use the funds wisely. We are happy to note that tennis, since SBS came on board is one of the fastest growing sports in Eswatini,” he added.
Also worth noting is that SBS handed gifts to Minister Bulunga, CEO Dlomo, and EOCGA and under Secretary to Sports Ministry Naniki Mnisi.
It was established Sikhali suffered a shoulder injury against Senegal despite having finished the match that ended with defeat following sudden death penalties. This was in the semifinals of the COSAFA Cup before Eswatini dropped to the Plate Tournament with less prestige.
Meanwhile, also starting for Sihlangu was midfielder Andy Junior Magagula ahead of Siboniso Ngwenya. Junior was later on rested for Leon Manyisa. Other players who started on the bench were Philani Mkhontfo and Sikhumbuzo Magagula. In front, the Kunene-led side started with Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and the young Ngwenya who had his first national cap.
Harder
It was the Rahman Gumbo-led Zebras’ goal in each half by the Zebras, as the Tswana national team is nicknamed, proved enough to see off Sihlangu who looked ready to finally break the duck against their rivals who they have not beaten in 19 years. However, that was not to be, instead Sihlangu will have to try harder in the TOTALEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2022 Qualifiers next Saturday when the two nations clash again in the away first leg. Zebras scored through Bame Morwalela five minutes before the break and the second came from Mothusi Cooper two minutes from regular time.
Last year, Sihlangu played to a 1-all draw with the Zebras while in 2018 they suffered a 2-0 defeat. In 2013, Sihlangu settled for a goalless draw while losing 1-0 in 2009. This defeat denied Sihlangu a dream final with an exciting South Africa’s Bafana who also dropped to the Plate Tournament after losing to
THE TEAMS:
Mozambique in a shoot-out.
Like Sihlangu and Senegal’s Lions of Teranga, the full-time score was 1-all. The final is billed for tomorrow at 11am at the Moses Mabhida Stadium before the main COSAFA Cup third-place playoff at 3:30pm and the main final at 7pm. In the main tournament semifinals are Namibia against Mozambique at 5pm and Zambia against Senegal at 7pm yesterday respectively.
Furthermore, Sihlangu’s defeat also means they will be returning home without a medal when they had looked to improve from last year’s bronze medal after losing in the main tournament semifinals to Senegal.
Back to the game, Kunene started with youngsters like Nhlanhla Ngwenya and welcomed back man of the match for the second time in the tournament, Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba who missed the semi-final match due to suspension.
The Zebras annihilated Sihlangu when the latter had topped Group B in the group stages after a 3-0 win against Mauritius, 1-1 with feared Malawi’s Flames and 2-0 win over Lesotho’s Likuena. Botswana had also topped Group A, but lost to Zambia in the semis. A penalty shoot-out decided the match, Zambia winning 5-4 in penalties after playing to 1-1 in regular time.