King wants Sihlangu to qualify for AFCON
LOBAMBA – His Majesty King Mswati III hailed the Ingwenyama Cup as a tournament that nurtures players capable of representing the national team.
The King emphasised that these players, in turn, contributed to the national team’s success, aiming to qualify for both the FIFA World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
During halftime of the match between Mbabane Swallows and Green Mamba at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday, His Majesty addressed the audience.
In his speech, he stated that: “I am here to bless this sporting and cultural event, which draws fans from across the country. We hope that you have enjoyed this tournament, which seamlessly blends culture and football. It is a beautiful and delightful event, with teams competing from various regions right up to the finals.
All the participating teams performed well, and we commend them for their efforts.”
King Mswati III further said: “This tournament serves to hone sporting talents, and we aspire to see teams from our nation qualify for the World Cup and AFCON. The cultural and sporting participants are here today to sharpen their skills, and this will lead to the emergence of soccer stars and cultural talents, allowing the Ingwenyama Cup to showcase Eswatini’s talent.”
Gratitude
Meanwhile, the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) expressed their gratitude to football enthusiasts for braving the wet weather conditions to attend the finals of the sixth edition of the Ingwenyama Cup.
Green Mamba triumphed 1-0, courtesy of a Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa penalty.
“We are delighted to see football fans turning out in numbers to witness this prestigious event. Despite the adverse weather conditions, with persistent rain throughout, people still came and packed the stadium,” EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane remarked. He highlighted the abundant talent on display in both culture and soccer, expressing optimism that the country’s national teams would identify and recruit these talented individuals.
Echoed
Similarly, PLE Chairman Mark Carmichael echoed these sentiments. “It was a beautiful day despite the rains. The turnout was impressive, and we witnessed exceptional football and cultural displays. We extend our heartfelt thanks to His Majesty for pioneering this tournament, as it has unearthed remarkable talent,” Carmichael stated, adding that the Ingwenyama Cup also served to unite the nation through its celebration of culture and sport.