Mamba, ‘Birds’ primed for epic clash
MALKERNS - This Sunday, Somhlolo National Stadium will come alive, as Mbabane Swallows take on Green Mamba in the eagerly-awaited finals of the Ingwenyama Cup.
With barely 48 hours left before the finals, both teams have been hard at training, knowing that E1.4 million is at stake, on top of that a ticket to Africa’s second-tier clubs competition, styled Confederation Cup. The expectations from the players and the pressure from both coaches in Ernest Mavuso of Green Mamba and Caleb Ngwenya of Swallows is high. The outcome, whether a win or a loss, will be based on the coaches’ preparation and philosophy on the day.
We visited both Swallows and Green Mamba’s training sessions on Wednesday. We zoom in on their preparations.
MBABANE SWALLOWS Attendance at training
Only the birds hovering over the sky witnessed Swallows’ intense training at Malkerns Sports Ground. No fans were allowed at training. The players remained focused and determined in preparation for Sunday. It was almost a full house with only the injured players missing out.
Mood at training
As highlighted, it was a tense training session, with Coach Ngwenya closely observing the youthful squad, alongside a few experienced players. The players were giving their best, reflecting their determination to secure a place in the starting 11. The mood was so serious that when a player failed to execute the coach’s instructions, they were momentarily suspended and had to train alone until they mastered the exercise. Despite the seriousness of the training, the session was occasionally filled with laughter and energy.
Casualty ward
With Felix Badenhorst declared out of the finals and Sandile Hlatswako doubtful for the clash, Coach Ngwenya will need to consider his options upfront. If both players are unavailable, this will provide an opportunity for others, such as Ayanda Gadlela, Orion Samba and Sizolwethu Shabalala to rise to the occasion.
Captain speaks revenge mode
“Players are focused ahead of the game. They understand what is at stake and what is expected of them. Green Mamba scored 10 goals against us this season and it is good that they will play us while we are in good form and in a revenge mode,” Sifiso Mabila said.
He further expressed his readiness to deliver if given the chance, emphasising his respect for the coach and stressing the unity within the team.
We learnt our lesson Coach Ngwenya
“The boys now comprehend what it means to play in the final. We will make our best effort as a team and hopefully the results will favour us,” said Ngwenya.
He emphasised that the loss in the last final meeting was an eye-opener and they rectified mistakes made. Regarding his time with Green Mamba, Ngwenya acknowledged their capabilities but assured putting up a strong fight while respecting them off the field.
GREEN MAMBA
Attendance at training
Green Mamba recorded a full house at training, with some of their stars, who include marksman Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Njabulo ‘Magwegwe’ Magagula and Njabulo ‘Mazza’ Thwala primed for the challenge.
Mood at training
There was a positive atmosphere among the players, as they prepared for the exciting challenge. All players put their best feet forward, as the technical team took them through their paces. Attacking midfielder Mbongeni ‘Mshishi’ Magagula, expressed his excitement and motivation as he anticipated playing in his first Ingwenyama Cup final.
Casualty ward
All players were given a clean bill of health by the technical team. At the time of visiting the training session this past Wednesday, the technical reported that all the players were fit and raring to go.
Skipper ‘Sikhali’ fired up for big test
“Without a doubt, I see myself scoring at least one goal in the final. It’s my duty to score goals, and if I don’t, the team may not emerge victorious. Therefore, I must ensure that I contribute to the team’s success,” Sabelo stated. The Sihlangu marksman further emphasised that their preparations would remain unchanged, as they were familiar with their opponents, especially after several encounters this season. The teams met three times this season, with Green Mamba winning by 6-0 and 4-1 before a goalless stalemate in the last meeting.
It’s a new game – coach
Sandile Lulane, Green Mamba’s Assistant Coach, who deputises for Ernest Mavuso, emphasised that an injury-free squad would provide them with a broader range of options for squad selection, which will be crucial against formidable opponents like Mbabane Swallows.
“We are fortunate to have no injuries, although we do have players who are in the recovery phase. This will allow us to have a larger pool of players to choose from, ensuring that we are well-prepared from all perspectives. Our preparations for the final began during the Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) break, where we focused on making necessary corrections to our playing style.
“I appreciate the fact that we have a history with Mbabane Swallows, but as we approach the final, that history holds no significance. This is a new game, and our focus is solely on devising a strategy to overcome Swallows,” he said.