27/08/2026
Do not miss out
The Eswatini International Trade Fair Tournament knockout we are looking forward to.
In an exciting turn of events, the Eswatini International Trade Fair Cup has entered an unmissable stage where the best of the best in the kingdom will be taking on each other in a bid to try and send each other packing. This is the semi-final stage where teams need to decide within the next two matches which ones will matter the most to them. If you win your semi-finals, you have one more match the finals to go, and if you lose, you still have one more match the third-place finals to go.
In the next encounter, Correctional sunrise volleyball club men will be taking on Tigers, while the most talked about Ecowater will be taking on Royal Warriors. Women will be on tiptoes as well, expecting Ecowater to take on Zakhele Volleyball Team Club, and on the other court, Correctional Sunrise will be up against Scorpions Volleyball Club. There is a lot to expect, and there are observations that everyone, including our newsdesk, has made regarding the strengths and styles of play for these teams. What we cannot mistake is that all these teams have sides and statuses to protect as they uphold their banners in a bid to make a name for themselves. There is no other great tournament that gives you more exposure than a tournament where international spectatorship is guaranteed. Remember, we are at an International Trade Fair.
The games in discussion from the wider view of the volleyball populace at large:
1. Correctional Sunrise vs Tigers
Most of the volleyball personnel we have spoken to applauded Tigers for contesting for the title at this stage of the tournament and were happy for the milestone achievement versus the fact that Correctional, a long-standing powerhouse, has always contested for every title in every tournament. A situation described as a David and Goliath battle, but the greater expectations from the fans gave winning odds to Correctional. The thing about volleyball is that it is a game of slight changes and opportunities, so spectators should not totally count out Tigers as a team that is easy to walk over. Both these teams have fully seated technical benches, and we hope to see a lot of flair and diversity of course, with a purpose other than a fancy display.
2. Royal Warriors vs Ecowater
Nowadays, when you hear or come across the name Ecowater in Eswatini Volleyball, you definitely have your eyebrows raised. This team is not only hot in the women's category, but it is also making waves in the men's category as well. If you want to take on Ecowater and think about winning, you should surely prepare yourself. On the other hand, their opponents, Royal Warriors, who are also not a power to overlook because many giants have fallen victim to their rage, will not at all give the match away. As most of our fans have given winning odds to Royal Warriors, it is testament that they have built their profile and cemented their legacy. Both these teams have the potential of making it to the finals, so we can consider it a final before the finals. We anticipate flames in this match to come.
3. Correctional Sunrise vs Scorpions Volleyball Club
This is one match which many have been speaking about since the elimination stages, when Ecowater turned the tides against Correctional. Most people pointed out a few observations of match-fixing, which were unfounded, however. Scorpions have been dominated by Correctional before, but you definitely cannot count Scorpions out since Correctional is missing a number of key players. With Scorpions being the good team that they are, a lot can go wrong with the ever-dominant Correctional Sunrise. Speaking of Correctional Sunrise, so far they have proven to be unshaken, even though we have seen them playing without some key and highly experienced players, not only locally but internationally as well. It will not be easy to predetermine the winner in this match, especially when considering that they have fully seated technical benches, so exhausting the head coaches from either opposition will not be an easy task.
4. Zakhele Volleyball Team vs Ecowater
Another evenly distributed encounter, should both teams come in numbers considering the quality of players and the percentage of fight they have among themselves. If you talk about crowd-pulling matches, this is definitely one of them. To remind you a little bit about Ecowater, their ladies' side is the one that has done the most in forcefully and fiercely paving their way to the finals. Recently, they scooped an international tournament gold medal playing against the same Zakhele team they will be playing on the day of the knockout. Zakhele as well made it to the finals of that tournament, reminding teams that they are also a powerhouse. As we have alluded that this match is anticipated to be evenly distributed, it means one cannot rule out Zakhele because this team in its element will definitely skin you alive. Both teams have the full potential of upsetting the equilibrium, so it is a go for all.
What does this mean for the volleyball populace in the country? It simply means get your food, your camp chair, and your best cheerful behavior to witness the best that we have in the country taking each other head-on at Mavuso Sports Emporium Hall on 4 September 2026 at 1700 hours. See you there, and before then, we will come back with more updates.