BIG DERBY IN SEMIS

MBABANE – Buckle up for bumper Ingwenyama Cup Ibuyile edition semi-finals.

At a packed Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) boardroom, pairings for the last four standing teams were made yesterday, before guests, led by Ingwenyama Cup Committees Chairperson Prince Hlangabeza, who represented the tournament’s patron His Majesty King Mswati III. In a repeat of the last edition (2020) second round match-up, the country’s two remaining heavyweights in the tournament, in Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders were paired together. An unanswered first half strike by then debutant Kenneth Moloto, was enough to guide Highlanders past their rivals in their last meeting.

The sides will be meeting for the third time in about six months. In the defunct MoMo Cup play-offs in September last year, Swallows celebrated a 2-1 comeback win. In the league showdown in December 2023, the giants settled for a 1-all draw. The semi-final line-up will be completed by champions of the last two editions, who are Young Buffaloes and Green Mamba. This fixture has been dominated by Buffaloes, with the first round league meeting ending in a 2-all draw. In reaction to the match-ups, Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Kenneth Dlamini dubbed it a final before the main one. “It is a fair draw. We have to go all the way. Our supporters should come in numbers to witness the clipping of the birds’ wings,” said Dlamini.

Swallows spokesperson Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya stressed that he looked beyond Highlanders, as the goal was to play the decider before Their Majesties. “It will be a very difficult game because the forces derby is never easy.’’ Buffaloes are likely to come out guns blazing as they have not won a trophy for quite sometime. ‘‘As a team, we have a mandate to bring it home. The E1.4 million first prize is also a big motivation,” said Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya. Sandile Gwebu, who is the CEO at Buffaloes, felt it was a fair but tough draw, saying they would be better positioned to say much upon assessing the fitness of all their players. Meanwhile, Management Committee Chairman Comfort Shongwe and sponsor SMVAF CEO David Myeni felt things were seamless so far. Prince Hlangabeza stressed the need to exercise safety precautions on the road in line with the teachings of the sponsor. The semi-finals will be played next Sunday (March 10) at Somhlolo National Stadium.

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