INGWENYAMA CUP BEATS SADC KOS
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.
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