Times Of Swaziland: INGWENYAMA CUP BEATS SADC KOS

INGWENYAMA CUP BEATS SADC KOS
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Ntombikayise Gwebu on 15/04/2024 08:30:00


MBABANE – The recently-ended Ingwenyama Cup’s E1.4 million first prize purse
is among the most attractive prizes in southern Africa.
Comparisons made by this publication suggest that Eswatini’s biggest football
knockout tournament styled Ingwenyama Cup sponsored by Sincephetelo Motor
Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) has a first prize money ranking among the highest
in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) region. This is in
comparison with almost similar tournaments’ prizes among other Council of
Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) countries.  Like the Ingwenyama
Cup, these tournaments feature both lower divisions and elite league teams.
mouthwatering
Leading the mouthwatering amounts awarded to winners in tournaments is
neighbouring country South Africa’s Nedbank Cup, where champions are
guaranteed up to E7 million. This is where Eswatini and Richards Bay forward
Justice ‘Figa’ Figuareido plies his trade. Meanwhile, 2023/24 defending
champions Green Mamba earned E1.4 million, making Ingwenyama Cup first prize
package the second highest to award winners with a mouthwatering amount behind
Nedbank Cup. Botswana side’s Orange FA Cup winners get E1.09 million as per
yesterday’s exchange rate. This is a tournament where Eswatini internationals
Mxolisi Mkhonto and Banele ‘Stiga’ Ndzabandzaba feature. The duo plays for
Jwaneng Galaxy and Police XI, respectively.
In addition, Zambia’s ABSA Cup champions pocket over E600 000. Former Young
Buffaloes right-back Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta plays for the country’s
top side ZESCO United. Furthermore, Namibia FA Cup awards winners walk away with
E500 000.  Malawi’s FDH Bank Cup are guaranteed E326 513.95 in yesterday’s
exchange rate. Ingwenyama Cup Public Relations Officer (PRO) Nkosilenhle Masuku
commended the statistics. “It is gratifying more so because this is the brain
child of His Majesty. In his mind, he has always wanted Eswatini to be right
there among the best. This was evident in his comments during half time break of
the tournament’s finals. His Majesty sees Eswatini good enough to participate
in tournaments such as Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) and the World Cup,”
Masuku said.
Masuku added that this showed Eswatini was getting closer to be among the
competitive leagues in Africa. “Looking at Nedbank Cup everyone marvels over
it. Looking at its formation with our tournament they almost take a similar
route. Had it not been for the hiatus looking at the consistency of the sponsor,
the first prize would be closer to E2 million. We are hoping that in the future
we would be among the best in Africa,” Masuku added.