Red-hot action as giants face off

On Sunday local soccer lovers were treated to more football action when local soccer giants took on Swaziland soccer giants in a top-four tourney held at KamHlushwa Stadium.

Representing South Africa in this friendly local clash was Mlambo Royal Cubs and Schoemansdal Junior Aces, who were taking on Swaziland giants, Mbambane Manchester and Mbabane Highlanders.

However, the highly anticipated Mbambane Manchester side was a no-show to the disappointment of many.

This resulted in the matches being played on a point system, and saw the organisers only delivering two of the four games they had promised.

Mlambo Royal Cubs kicked things off with Mbambane Highlanders, playing to a one all draw, and walking away with a single point each.

Schoemansdal Junior Aces were up next against the visitors, Mbambane Highlanders.

The two sides played to a 2-2 draw.

In the final game of the day, Mlambo Royal Cubs took on Schoemansdal Junior Aces. After 90 minutes Mlambo Royal Cubs walked off victoriously with a single goal determining the win of the day.

Supporters were happy with the introduction of such tournaments, but were disappointed with the poor organisation.

“When I heard about the games which were going to take place, I was excited because I am a loyal supporter of local soccer. I don’t care where it goes, I follow it. And I was really looking forward to seeing these teams we hear so much about from Swaziland playing against our very own local teams. At least I got to see one of them playing live, but it would have meant the world to me to have seen the other team as well,” said Schoemansdal Junior Aces support, Mr Muzi Ngwenya.

The overall feeling from most supporters was that this is a step in the right direction in the development of local football.

“This shows that we are now taking our football serious and once we start doing so, so will other people,” said local sport commentator, Mr Mfanakhona Shongwe.