Congratulations also to coach Disco who was voted the best Coach of the season, striker Fanaze Mthembu who was voted the leagues player of the season and striker Mduduzi Mthembu whose 18 goals made him the leagues joint top goal scorer

There is a highly competitive Football League in Mbazwana and Sodwana presently consisting of 14 teams.

In this time they have performed reasonably well, usually finishing mid table. This season however has seen a dramatic change in their performances. After a disappointing "Sodwana Cup" they started the 2002/2003 season in brilliant fashion. The league was half completed when the Mbazwana Football Association decided to join the official SA league system. "Home Tigers" were second in the log and it was a bit of a disappointment. They shrugged this off and carried on their tremendous form. They had led the league for much of the season when a string of draws left them in second place to the much fancied "Intuthuko" team with only a few games left.

Due to time constraints in finishing the league that had stated late, the teams were playing two games a weekend on a pitch that in places looked more like a sand pit.

The Title Run In

The closing stages were very exiting. The situation was that "Intuthuko" were 1 point in the lead but "Home Tigers" had a game in hand. "Intuthuko" had 3 games left and "Home Tigers" had 4.
The two teams met on Sunday 30th March in a game many thought would decide the league. It was a tense affaire. The Tigers probably should have gone into the lead in the opening few minutes but maybe nerves played a part and the chances went begging. These were obviously two well matched sides and the standard of football achieved on the sandy pitch was a credit to both sides. It was 0-0 at halftime.
The second half was much the same. Both sides had chances but the defences held firm. The Tigers goalkeeper, Zwelisha Zikhali, was injured about five minutes before the end when he bravely dived to save. He had to leave the field and the Tigers reserve keeper was called on. The Tigers captain, Nico, was also injured but was able to play on. The last five minutes was a very anxious time for the Tigers management who now would probably settle for a draw. Nico put in one last crunching tackle and the ref blew for full time. "Intuthuko" were still 1 point in the lead but "Home Tigers" still had the game in hand.

The game in hand was against "Young Lilies" They are close neighbours of "Home Tigers" and it is a real "Local Derby". It was "Young Lilies" who put the Tigers" out of the cup which made the game even more interesting.
The Tigers played extremely well and won the game 3-1. They were now 2 points clear and had to win their last 2 games to win the championship. They duly won 2-0 against "Peacemakers" which saw them go into the last Sunday needing to win to clinch the title. "Intuthuko" were playing first against "Sea Water". "Intuthuko" were 2 points behind and thus needed to win to force the Tigers" to win their game. "Intuthuko" had a superior goal difference so a draw for the Tigers" was not good enough.
The Final Sunday - Intuthuko's last game against "Sea Water"
"Intuthuko" were 3-1 up with about 10 minutes to go. Then "Sea Water" scored making the last 10 minutes a nervy affair for Tembe and "Intuthuko". They held on and now it was up to the "Home Tigers".

The Final Sunday - The "Home Tigers" had to win as a draw now was not enough.

The Tigers were playing "Young Boyz" who were bottom of the table. The Tigers had already beaten them 5-2 and if it had been a mid season game the Tigers would probably win fairly easily but as anyone who follows football knows, anything can happen and often does. The Tigers brought along quite a few fans for this vital match and they were already making lots of noise. The Tigers started well and had a couple of early chances. The defence, led by captain Nicholas Mthembu, (Nico) and Sabelo Ndlovu, easily dealt with any "Young Boyz" attack. After about 10 minutes, Matthew Malassis, the Tigers French striker chased a lost cause near the "Young Boyz" goal line and won the ball back, crossed and Thamsanqa Zikhali made it 1-0. The fans went wild with delight. After another 5 minutes the Tigers went 2-0 up with what was a really well crafted goal by Mduduzi Mthembu, this was also made by Matthew making up for an earlier "open goal" chance he had missed. Then when everything was going well fate entered the equation. The ref booked the Tigers defender after what looked like a brilliant tackle. Within a few minutes an accidental handball was adjudged to be in the penalty area. How this was so is difficult to imagine as there are no lines. To add insult to injury the ref also booked Thulani Nxumalo for the handball. "Young Boyz" scored from the penalty and it was now only 2-1. The Tigers then started to become more nervy, knowing that another such moment could cost them the match. Half time came and it was 2-1.
The second half continued with the Tigers still looking nervy. They missed quite a few chances but were still dominating the play. The "Young Boyz" missed a glorious chance to equalise with one of their breakaway's. This must have stung the Tigers into action as within a few minutes they scored. This caused all their fans (and sponsor), to charge to the corner flag where all the players were celebrating. Five minutes later Mduduzi completed his hatrick, the fans celebrated again, and the game was effectively won.
To win 4-1 was an excellent performance in such a high-stakes game and the whole team are to be commended.
The team was then taken to the beach to be given a boat ride by us (Sodwana Bay Lodge Scuba Centre). On the way they had a victorious ride through Mbazwana and Sodwana with horns blowing and plenty of singing.

The Tigers then had a victory supper at the Mbazwana Hotel on Good Friday.
Prizes were given to Mduduzi Mthembu for being the clubs leading goal scorer (18 including a hatrick in the vital last match). Fanaze Mthembu was voted the players "player of the season" and Thulani Nxumalo was the Management's "player of the season". The captain Nico playfully commented that big defenders never seem to win these prizes but he was voted the best captain.
The club Head Coach, Disco, also made a speech thanking all his players. He made mention that our goalkeeper had the best record in the league as he had let in the least goals. 

The "Home Tigers" represented Mbazwana in the regional finals held in Empangeni in July and came a creditable third in their section. Mbazwana is very proud of them.

Results for the Home Tigers -:

Goalscorers for the season:-