'FELA' EYES 4TH INGWENYAM CUP

MBABANE – Royal Leopard forward Felix Badenhorst is preparing to chase his fourth Ingwenyama Cup title, an achievement he has previously accomplished three times with Mbabane Swallows.

This coming weekend, Royal Leopard will face Moneni Pirates at Somhlolo National Stadium in Lobamba, and Badenhorst is determined to add another prestigious trophy to his collection. For Badenhorst, the privilege of winning this esteemed cup is paramount. He expressed that it does not matter if it is the first or second; the honour of winning the legendary tournament is what truly drives a player. On both a professional and personal level, he stated that he would be immensely proud to secure this title in his first season with Royal Leopard.”It would make me feel like I have truly added value to the team,” Badenhorst remarked. The experienced player acknowledges that in this type of competition, history is irrelevant. “Everyone comes prepared and would do anything to lay their hands on this historic competition,” he noted. Badenhorst emphasised the importance of treating every game as a final and never underestimating any opponent. Reflecting on the pressure of competing at Royal Leopard, he remarked that there is no difference at all because he comes from a team with a winning culture, where losing is unacceptable.

“Here at Royal Leopard, it’s the same, and the pressure is consistent. You are expected to give your best at all times,” he added. Badenhorst described the path to the final as particularly challenging. “We faced two fierce rivals, Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes, along the way and we also encountered another difficult team, Ezulwini United,” he explained. He further noted that it has been a really tough journey, mentioning that on Sunday, they are up against a great side in Moneni Pirates and they all know what they are capable of. Therefore, they must bring their best game once again. He shared that at Royal Leopard, they do not choose their games, but rather respect every team they face, preparing in the best possible way each week. As a senior player, he has found it easy to integrate into the squad, praising his teammates as genuinely good and humble players who are naturally hard workers and eager to learn. The former Mbabane Swallows danger man also noted that the presence of experienced players and seasoned coaches further enhances the team’s dynamics. Badenhorst acknowledged the invaluable support of their fans. “They have been giving us that extra push in every game we’ve played in this tournament. We truly appreciate them as they have been coming in huge numbers to the stadiums. We always sing with them after every victory and we hope it will be the same on Sunday,” he said.

For Badenhorst, winning the Ingwenyama Cup would not only be a proud moment, but would also place him among the most successful players in the tournament’s history. “What an honour it would be, especially in His Majesty King Mswati III’s tournament. One can look back after retirement and say, I had a great career,” remarked the sharpshooter. He concluded by offering his advice to young players, sharing that they should work hard, respect their coach, and prioritise doing extra training on their own. “Football these days can change your life,” concluded Badenhorst.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: