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Noel Munzabwa in Manzini, Swaziland
FORMER Warriors’ assistant coach Saul Chaminuka has booked a place in a major cup final for Matsapha United a fortnight after winning the National First Division to secure a Premiership berth.

Chaminuka’s Matsapha charges brushed aside popular Premiership outfit Manzini Wanderers 2-0 in the semi-final of the SwaziBank Cup #Yelele played at a packed Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday.

Manzini Wanderers became the third Premiership outfit to drown at the Deep Blue Ocean, after the MTN National First Division champions elect beat Mbabane Swallows 2-1 and Manzini Sundowns 1-0 in this cup tournament.

The SwaziBank Cup is equivalent to the Chibuku Super Cup in Zimbabwe and comes with a ticket to the African safari via Caf Confederation Cup.

The SwaziBank Cup comes with a winners’ prize money of 1 million emalangeni (about $80 000), a converted trophy and a rare handshake with King Mswati III.

Chaminuka is pumped up and determined to shake the monarch’s hand by delivering the trophy to his Premiership-bound employers, just nine months after he took on the job.

“I relish shaking hands with the highest man in the mountain kingdom. Like I said after knocking out Mbabane Swallows, expectations grew from everyone around us that we can go all the way and probably win it and now we are a game away. In fact, I want to take this team to the Caf Confederation Cup,” said Chaminuka.

“The agony from Gabon (with the Warriors) inspired me a lot. That’s why I didn’t give myself a break after the Africa Cup of Nations finals. Within three days of being knocked out, I came back to be with the Express Blue Train. Caf Confederation Cup here I come,” he said.Army side Young Buffaloes stand between Matsapha United and glory in the SwaziBank Cup final.

The last time a National First Division outfit lifted this trophy was in 2008 when Malanti Chiefs outwitted then Premiership giants Royal Leopard.

@NoelMunzabwa