(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Green Mamba…………..(1)1
Nhlanhla 56th
Sea Birds…………………(1)1
Suarez 90+1
(Green Mamba won 5-4 on sudden-death penalties)
MANZINI – CAF envoys Green Mamba face a gruelling five-match schedule in four days after edging Manzini Sea Birds in a dramatic 8Bet Trade Fair Cup quarter-final at Mavuso Sports Centre on Friday, September 4, 2026.
The two sides played to a 1-1 draw before Green Mamba prevailed 5-4 in a sudden-death penalty shoot-out.
Green Mamba will have little time to recover, with their TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup first preliminary round first leg against Clube Desportivo Primeiro de Agosto scheduled for today, Saturday, September 5, 2026, at Somhlolo National Stadium.
Mthunzi Ginindza’s charges will then return to Mavuso for their 8Bet Trade Fair Cup semi-final against Moneni Pirates later on.
Their demanding run will continue on Sunday, 6 September, when they contest either the final or third-place play-off.
The Correctional Services side looked determined to settle the contest early, with Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze finding Njabulo ‘Magwegwe’ Magagula in the second minute. Magagula’s cross picked out Bafana Matse, but his header sailed over.
Sea Birds threatened through Muzie ‘Freeway’ Tsabedze, whose quickly taken corner was comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Lindokuhle Manda.
Neither side could break the deadlock before the interval despite creating several opportunities.
Green Mamba finally struck 11 minutes into the second half when Nhlanhla Ngwenya finished a clever pass from substitute Kwanele Shongwe.
Sea Birds responded strongly, with Joseph Kibonge coming close to restoring parity moments later.
Manda then produced a fine save to deny Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, before Sea Birds’ persistence finally paid off in stoppage time when substitute Mayibongwe ‘Suarez’ Mabuza headed home.
Manda ultimately emerged as the hero, converting the decisive spot-kick as Green Mamba won 5-4.
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