Riding on confidence wave
After enduring a painful Sunday afternoon when the Flames twice led against Swaziland’s SihlanguSemnikati, a posting which is circulating on the Internet about a man from Germany who has sued a neighbour he paid to get his wife pregnant but failed after 72 attempts somehow cheered my spirits later that evening. Sometimes it is such crazy stuff that helps you pull through like it was on that lazy Sunday evening.
Not long ago, Swaziland were one of the whipping boys in this part of Africa, they were not known for Umhlanga, the cultural dance ceremony which draws thousands of unmarried and childless Swazi girls and women travel to the Ludzidzini Royal Village to participate in the eight-day event while half-naked, exposing their breasts.
But of late they have made notable strides and recently they defied the odds to beat Guinea 2-1 away from home in their opening 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier. On Sunday, they showed strong character by twice coming from behind to hold the Flames. You don’t give away a lead twice and still expect to win.
It wasn’t a poor show the new kids on the block gave out on the day, but there were a bit of shortfalls noted, especially in the line of defence and hopefully Flames coach Ernest Mtawali drew some tough lessons from that and he can ride on confidence wave ahead of the next assignment..
And it felt good to hear the ever cheerful former president BakiliMuluzi commending the boys’ performance and giving his tactical analysis that finishing was the biggest problem. I think Ernest should consider roping him into his backroom staff as his technical adviser.
By the way, were you in Swaziland for the Umhlanga ceremony, Your Excellecy? I am just curious. Glory be to God. Uloliwe…uloliwewayidudula hah!,neng’esiza [The train is pushing].]
