GOAL FEST, THRILLS, DRAMA

MBABANE – The Ingwenyama Cup quarter-finals were a festival of goals. The tournament reached its crescendo with a flurry of scintillating matches that delivered a combined total of 13 goals across the weekend’s fixtures. The lucrative prize pool, totalling an impressive E1.45 million, is now up for grabs as the tournament enters its climactic phase with four teams left in contention: three-time champions Mbabane Swallows, 2019 winners Young Buffaloes, two-time runners-up Royal Leopard and Moneni Pirates. The latter are the only team yet to reach the final.

While the weekend’s fixtures delivered a wealth of goals, there was no shortage of drama either, particularly in the thrilling encounter between Mbabane Swallows and Lozitha Spurs at the Mavuso Sports Centre. Amid a heated tussle, Swallows veteran defender Sfiso ‘Mr Cool’ Mabila was shown a red card by referee Vuyo Khoza for a hard tackle, sending shockwaves through the game and leading to a temporary lull in the action. However, as the Spurs player quickly regained his footing and appeared to be unharmed, Khoza rescinded the red card.

Enthusiastic

Sunday’s games at the Mayaluka Stadium were also bustling, with throngs of enthusiastic fans flocking to the venue and creating a pulsating atmosphere that befitted the occasion. Amid the electric energy, it was veteran forward Phiwa ‘Silwabelwabe’ Dlamini who stole the spotlight, producing a mesmerising display of attacking ability that saw him notch a stunning hat-trick for ‘Amathole ezinyathi’  in their emphatic 5-1 victory over Illovo. With every twist, turn and blistering run, Dlamini held the Mayaluka Stadium in the palm of his hand, leaving Illovo’s players shell-shocked as he terrorised their defence, proclaiming himself as a true talisman for the Buffaloes team and a player to watch in the upcoming semi-finals.

COACH OF THE WEEK:

Caleb Ngwenya
(Moneni Pirates)
In a clash that proved to be a tale of two halves, the former Mbabane Swallows coach masterminded a hard-fought penalty shootout victory for his charges, Moneni Pirates, over their dogged opponents, Manzini Sea Birds.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK:

Phiwa Dlamini
(Young Buffaloes)
In a mesmerising performance, the towering forward displayed a master class in clinical finishing; securing a stunning hat-trick that underpinned Young Buffaloes’ emphatic 5-1 triumph over a hapless Illovo side.

TEAM OF THE WEEK:

1. Mlamuli Msibi (Royal Leopard)
2. Sibonelo Sibandze (Young Buffaloes)
3. Vukile Khumalo (Moneni Pirates)
4. Kingsley Kwayki (Mbabane Swallows)
5. Menzi Simelane (Moneni Pirates)
6. Caleb Ofori (Ezulwini United)
7. Thembisa Shabangu (Royal Leopard)
8. Sandile Gamedze (Young Buffaloes)
9. Phiwa Dlamini (Young Buffaloes)
10. Senanelo Nkambule (Moneni Pirates)
11. Bongi Magagula (Mbabane Swallows)

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