The Road to the Final
Buckle up! The Ingwenyama Cup final is here!
Two of the country’s most exciting teams will cross swords on the biggest stage of all. A staggering E1.4 million, a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup, bragging rights, and pride are all at stake for 90 minutes or more. You can’t ask for more!
Eswatini Sunday Sports Editor, Lwazi Dlamini looks at how the two teams navigated their way to today’s cup final.
GREEN MAMBA
▸ LAST 32 STAGE: Vs Nyamane Classics (Won 4-0)
Green Mamba began the defence of the Ingwenyama Cup trophy they won in 2020 when they beat Highlanders 2-0 in the final by trashing Nyamane Classic 4-0 in the opening Last 32 stage to set the tone and send a clear statement of intent.
▸ LAST 16 STAGE: Vs Manzini Sea Birds (Won 4-3 in penalties)
At the backdrop of a disappointing and shocking midweek 0-1 loss to Manzini Wanderers in the MTN league, Green Mamba struggled to break down a stubborn Manzini Sea Birds who even found the equalizer through Lungelo Mngomezulu to cancel Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa’s opening goal. The game went for the dreaded penalties where Ernest Mavuso’s charges emerged 4-3 winners and proceeded to the quarter-final.
▸ QUARTER-FINAL: Vs Nsingizini Hotspurs (Won 1-0)
At a packed Mayaluka Stadium on February 10, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa broke the hearts of the travelling Nsingizini Hotspurs fans when he finished off a Mthunzi ‘Xavi’ Mkhontfo’s cross with a typical goal poacher’s goal in the 16th minute of a fiercely contested clash at the sugar-belt. The ‘Correctional Services’ side won the battle of the greens to storm into the semi-final, setting up a security forces derby clash against Young Buffaloes.
▸ SEMI-FINAL: Vs Young Buffaloes (Won 3-2)
In a five-goal thriller at Somhlolo National Stadium on March 10, 2024, Green Mamba had to endure sustained pressure from Young Buffaloes in the closing stages after taking an early 2-0 from Mbongeni ‘Mshishi’ Magagula and a neat finish by Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa as they led 2-0 at half time. Then ‘Sikhali’ made it 3-0 to take his goal tally to six before Buffaloes pulled one back when Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze netted.
When Owa Matsebula scored the second goal to reduce the deficit to just one goal, it created a spectacle in the final minutes as the army side threw everything at Green Mamba even the proverbial kitchen sink. In the end, Green Mamba held on to their slim lead to reach their second successive Ingwenyama Cup final.
MBABANE SWALLOWS
▸ LAST 32 STAGE: Vs Lozitha Spurs (Won 3-0)
At the height of a player’s strike over unpaid salaries, Mbabane Swallows still dominated the Last 32 stage clash against the National First Division side, Lozitha Spurs on January 7, 2024, at Somhlolo National Stadium, cruising to a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals from Felix Badenhorst, Siphosethu Mabilisa and Siyabonga Zwane. Spurs were looking for revenge having lost 5-1 to Swallows in the now-defunct Momo Cup only to be sent packing by their more illustrious opponents to qualify for the Last 16 stage.
▸ LAST 16 STAGE: Vs Tambankulu Celtics (Won 1-0)
On Saturday, January 20, 2024, Mbabane Swallows slender 1-0 victory over Tambankulu Celtics at Mayaluka Stadium was overshadowed by a shoulder injury to talisman Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst who has been out of action for the last two months since he picked up the injury. Lanky striker Sandile Hlatshwako netted the winner in the 54th minute when he came face-to-face with goalkeeper Mciniseli Vilane and fired home a hard shot into the back of the net.
▸ QUARTERFINAL STAGE: Vs Pigg’s Peak Rangers (Won 4-0)
At a packed Mavuso Sports Centre on February 11, 2024, Mbabane Swallows made lightwork of National First Division side, Pigg’s Peak Rangers who had reached the quarter-final stage having seen off struggling premier league side Moneni Pirates in the opening Last 32 stage and Milling Hotspurs in the Last 16 stage. Swallows scored their goals through in-form striker Ayanda Gadlela, Sizolwethu Shabalala and a brace from Siyabonga Zwane to set up a semi-final mother of all derbies against sworn rivals, Mbabane Highlanders who had limped their way to the last four stage.
▸ SEMI-FINAL STAGE: Vs Mbabane Highlanders (Won 3-0)
On the memorable Sunday of March 10, 2024, a massive crowd of over 12 000 people crammed the Somhlolo National Stadium as Mbabane Swallows skinned the ‘Black Bull’ alive in emphatic fashion in a 3-0 demolition job masterminded by the eccentric man of the match Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini who was simply outstanding. All three goals scored by Neliswa Dlamini, who grabbed a brace and the other one by Ayanda Gadlela were straight from the top drawer. Swallows were on the way to their fourth Ingwenyama Cup in the tournament’s six editions and will be facing defending champions Green Mamba today.