CHAOS AT HHOHHO REGIONAL INGWENYAMA CUP FINALS

MBABANE – What began as an anticipated final turned into a scene of chaos.
 The match between Zibonele Vultures and Emajukujuku, which saw the latter triumphing 8-7 on penalties, was marred by violence that erupted in front of over 1 000 fans at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground yesterday. The Hhohho Regional Ingwenyama Cup final clash concluded in a 1-all draw after regulation time, leading to a tense penalty shootout where Emajukujuku secured victory. The unrest overshadowed a highly-attended match held just a kilometre from the central business district (CBD). The game itself was enthralling, full of flair and action, until a bitter confrontation erupted around the 75th minute. The violence was ignited when a Vultures fan was accused of using a foreign substance, leading to a heated argument that escalated into physical assaults between the two sets of supporters.

Instead of attempting to defuse the situation, other fans rushed to join the fray, resulting in a shower of beer bottles and sticks flying through the air. In the pandemonium, one fan suffered a visible injury, with blood oozing from his head after being struck by a bottle. Once the violence subsided, the injured fan confronted a man seated with Ntfonjeni Member of Parliament (MP) and Vultures Director Ray Dlamini, who was in the back of a pickup van. The fan charged towards him with a long wooden log in hand. Despite the police presence, the agitated man began striking those near the MP, triggering yet another round of chaos. Fists, logs and bottles were hurled as the melee intensified, with some individuals escalating the unrest by throwing stones and objects at the MP’s vehicle. Recognising the escalating danger, the MP hastily jumped into his car and sped away from the scene. Subsequently, two individuals were taken away in a police van for questioning, while reports indicate that the MP went directly to the police station to file a report.

After approximately 10 minutes of turmoil, the commotion subsided, allowing the match to resume. “It’s a regrettable situation in football. This incident is detrimental to the sport, and there was absolutely no justification for the fans to vandalise my vehicle, a Raider X GD6 Toyota. I will allow the legal process to unfold, as I have filed a report regarding the damage to my car, which includes the windscreen and the bonnet,” said the MP. When questioned about the assault on the individual seated next to him, he remarked: “They targeted him without provocation. Sikelela Manana is associated with the Zibonele Vultures, and it’s disheartening to witness what transpired.”

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Among those witnessing the violent scenes were notable figures from the football community, including Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Polycarp Dlamini, Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) Chairman Comfort Shongwe, former Secretary to Cabinet Mbuso Dlamini, MTN’s current top goalscorer Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and coaches, all of whom were left astonished by the mayhem surrounding a third division match. The last four teams from the regions will join the league’s 28 teams in the national phase of the Ingwenyama Cup, bringing the total to 32 competitors for the main tournament, set to kick off in two weeks’ time.

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