BATTLE OF THE BEST!

MBABANE – The general consensus going to this afternoon’s Ingwenyama Cup final is that it pits two teams with quality players.
The difference could be experience over talent.

Many have said their opinions on the clash, but one thing we can all agree on is that it is the biggest game currently in local football. These are two of the most successful clubs in the country in the last five seasons.
Both have won 12 major trophies in between them from season 2013-14 onwards. It is Swallows who have the upper hand with seven major trophies, dominated by three Castle Premier Challenge Cup, Two Ingwenyama Cup, one SwaziBank Cup and the MTN League.  Leopard have three MTN League titles, a SwaziBank Cup and Trade Fair Cup.

It is also worth mentioning that no other team has won the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup other than the two teams in the past five seasons, with Leopard winning it three times in 2013, 2015, 2016.
The Swallows of Mbabane won it in 2014 and 2017. But they also have the once-off King’s Super Cup as well after winning it over Leopard in 2015. The teams have eliminated Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, respectively, in the semi-finals.

However, the last three seasons have been hugely dominated by Swallows who have raked in eight trophies with Charity Cup included, to Leopard’s two. During that time, Swallows have won once in seven games and that was in May 13, 2016 in the last game of the MTN League season. It was the police side’s last major trophy haul. They have lost in six consecutive games to the opposition which include back to back league doubles in the last two seasons.
This therefore means that ‘Koki’ has gotten the better of his student ‘Nuro’ who he coached as captain of the 2003 U-17 African Youth Championship held in the country.

serious

Oh, before you forget, the duo is currently the most decorated coaches in the past five seasons, meaning that we can expect a serious tactical battle.
Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo, who is still aching from the 2016 defeat, has vowed to end the rot this afternoon. The son of the legendary Kinah Nxumalo of Moneni Pirates used to torment the capital city giants during his prime, however, injuries in recent years have weighed down his influence in games of this magnitude. On the opposite end, there is Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, the last two scorers in the 2016 final victory for Swallows. They are in fine form, if their performance against Zanaco F.C last Saturday was anything to be considered. However, the real danger might come not from the duo, but from on form attacking midfielder Felix Badenhorst who is slowly filling the void created by the injury to top striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa. He might not be as deadly as Sikhalo, but he is a sword capable of sending shivers down the spines of any opposition currently, Leopard notwithstanding.
This will surely be a game not for the faint-hearted. Believe me you.

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