Times Of Swaziland: WIN INGWENYAMA CUP, GET RICH

WIN INGWENYAMA CUP, GET RICH
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA on 11/03/2019 08:09:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders players could smile all the way to the bank if
they beat Young Buffaloes in this coming Sunday’s crackerjack Ingwenyama Cup
final on Sunday.
The two sides meet in their first-ever final at Somhlolo National Stadium, where
they will be in chase of a whopping E1.3 million in Eswatini’s richest
knockout tournament. Impeccable sources alleged that Highlanders players would
share up to E650 000, which is half of the prize money, if they win on Sunday.
With Highlanders having 25 registered players, each player can get up to E26
000, if the reports are anything to go by.
Reports suggested the team leadership was expected to meet the players yesterday
to tell them about the good news of getting a certain percentage. It could not
be ascertained if the meeting continued, but it was reliably gathered that one
of the directors was at training in Ezulwini yesterday to watch the team.
“The players are aware of the incentives. They were told to bring it home and
get a certain percentage,” alleged an impeccable source.
Coach Saul Chaminuka, it was alleged, might not get less than E65 000, which is
five-per cent of the total purse.
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Both Highlanders CEO Thulani Khumalo and PRO Paul ‘Magidzeludzakeni’
Masilela’s phones rang unanswered when sought for comment.
Efforts to get comments from team Chairman Zweli Jele were also fruitless. The
last attempt was made at 7:24pm.
Following a trophy drought, Highlanders will fancy their chances heading to the
decider. They have managed to avoid defeats against Buffaloes this season
following stalemates in both league fixtures. They are yet to win a trophy since
beating almost forgotten Umbelebele Jomo Cosmos 1-0 in the final of EswatiniBank
Cup in 2010.  It will be Chaminuka’s second final in three years against
Buffaloes. He lost 0-2 while in charge of Matsapha United in the 2017
EswatiniBank Cup.
Meanwhile, it was reliably gathered that Highlanders could leave before the end
of day to camp outside the country in preparation for the crunch fixture.