MBABANE Saturday 18.1.2025: Tension is high among twelve Premier League teams who venture out today, but may not return to continue the campaign for the Ngwenyama Cup tournament which rolls out nationwide today. Giant killers from the several lower soccer leagues around the country are out to secure themselves honour in a once-in-a-lifetime chance at glory.
While the ceremonial Grand Opening double header will feature Premier League giants Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders facing their own nightmare battles for survival at the Mavuso Stadium tomorrow; Ngwenyama Cup defending champions Green are out at Manzini Club this afternoon, playing Masundvwini Royal Swallows.
The King’s Cup, sponsored by the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (MVAF) kicks off this afternoon with a field of 30 teams and games in all four regions in a tournament that carries a mouth-watering E5.125 million purse.
Soccer gets the lion’s share of E3.925 million while E1.2 million goes to culture.
Tournament sponsors are demanding a high watermark of sportsmanship and decorum on and off the pitch as a token of honour to His Majesty King’s founding vision for the tournament. Ingwenyama Cup spokesman Nkhosilenhle ‘Makawosi’ Masuku appealed for a peaceful and orderly atmosphere, saying this will be consistent with His Majesty’s philosophy of peaceful harmony.
“We wish for the tournament to live up to its peaceful and violence-free reputation. The history of the tournament has been marked by orderly conduct in all regions.”
The organizers are however leaving nothing to chance and warn of stern action for trouble-makers: “No one will be allowed into the stadium carrying any kind of cultural weapon. We will be exercising zero tolerance to any hint of violence. Teams might win the game but lose it if they are implicated in violence on and off the pitch”, he said.
Masuku rebuked violence that broke out during the preliminary stages of the game in a recent match at the Prince of Wales in Mbabane. Consistent with the Incwala season, many fans were dressed in cultural regalia and carried the customary cultural weapons.
“We were greatly disturbed when fans used all kinds of cultural weapons from knobkerries to battle axes during the violence.”
“We don’t want this kind of violence to be associated with the tournament because the King who conceived the tournament is a champion of non-violence and consistently preaches and prays for peace.”
The prizes rich tournament kicks off this afternoon (Saturday) with 28 teams facing off for a place on the last 16.
Saturday games see defending champions Green Mamba facing Masundvwini Royal Swallows as the main attraction at the Manzini Club at 15:30 this afternoon. Green Mamba who are contending for the top rung of the league table may prove to be too strong for Masundvwini.
Also at the Manzini Club, Nsenga Comrades will take on an ebullient Young Buffaloes at 13:00 at the Manzini Club. Young Buffaloes’ Sandile Gwebu who is eying all 3 points lamented having to play Nsenga at the unfamiliar Manzini Club when he would have preferred to travel to their home ground at Nsenga to crush them there. Buffaloes have a strong reputation for their potential for snatching players from other teams. Since they took Leon Manyisa from Mbabane Swallows, other teams are nervous as the rumour mill says they are on a buying spree. “We only bought one player, Leon Manyisa. People who see other players milling around Young Buffaloes must relax. They are simply visitors checking on their friends in our team,”.
At the Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend, Ubombo Flyers will host Premier League giants Royal Leopards at 13:00. Leopards are a formidable opponent who are unlikely to give minnows a change. “We won’t treat Flyers as a small team but will make all preparations to win. For us there is no small team, we won’t leave anything to surprise”, .
Also at Mayaluka, first division Magwanyana will face Illovo at 15:30.
At KaLanga Stadium, Red Rhinos will face an aggressive Nsingizini Hotspurs who are becoming a Premier League nightmare, steadily rising to the top of the League log. Nsingizini’s Mnotfo says they will be particularly strong because they go against Red Rhinos injury-free.
The King Sobhuza ll Stadium will host a double header of Shiselweni side Nkwene FC who play northern Hhohho visitors Sidvwashini FC at 13:00.
All Nations will face Rangers at 15:30 at the same stadium.
At Thabankulu, Thabankulu Celtics will host Premier League side Ezulwini United.
The Prince of Wales will host a double header of Emajukujuku who face Siphofaneni Premier League side Madlenya FC at 13:00. Madlenya who have gained a reputation as giant killer’s are not taking Majukujuku lightly. “We know their reputation and watched their semi final game. However this is their only chance at fame. On Monday we will be in the last 16,” promised Madlenya PRO Sandile Gwebu.
Mbabane side, Amawele will face the Premier League’s Sea Birds at 15:30 at the Prince of Wales.
At Mkhuzweni, Pigg’s Peak Rangers will face Malanti Chiefs at 13:00 while Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows will face Moneni Pirates.
At the Mhlume Stadium, CK Survivors will host MTN First Division side, Denver Sundowns at 14:30
Sisonke enjoy the benefit of standby, and coast through to the next level of the tournament.
The tournament is the richest in the Kingdom with men’s and women’s soccer taking E3925 from the total package of E5.125 million while cultural activities.
Culture which will include sibhaca, umkosho wemajaha and ummiso for ladies will share E1.2 million.
The Ingwenyama soccer sup men’s tournament winner will collect E1.45m. Runner up winners take home E650,000.
Semi-finalist losers will collect E450.
There is a flush of prizes for excellent individual performance.
The player of the tournament will receive E15,000.
Best coach will walk away with E10,000.
Top goal scorer will receive E10,000.
Best goalkeeper will receive E10,000.
Best referee team will receive E10,000.
Major losers even before the tournament kicks off at national level, are Manzini Wanderers who continue to knock on a door that refuses to open. Wanderers dodged relegation from the Premier League and won a court order to be reinstated. The Football Association along with Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns are resisting the move. The matter has been appealed at the Supreme Court.
This week, Wanderers again launched a court bid to be included in the Premier League. The Football Association again successfully closed the door, leaving them out in the cold.
The tournament will also miss the highest crowd capacity Somhlolo National Stadium. The stadium has been blacklisted by the Confederation of African Football for failing to meet FIFA standards.
Jm/today/18.01
