(At Nkhanani)
LOBAMBA – Be warned!
His Majesty King Mswati III has warned the nation and football supporters against any form of violence during the 2025/26 Ingwenyama Cup finals.
The Royal directive was delivered by the tournament’s Chairman Prince Hlangabeza during the kit presentation to be used by the finalists for both football and culture on Sunday. The presentation took place at Nkhanini in Lobamba yesterday.
This year’s edition of the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) richly-sponsored tournament in the country will see two-time champions Green Mamba and Nsingizini Hotspurs fighting for the E1.45 million prize.
Apart from this finals, in the second edition of the Women Ingwenyama Cup category, inaugural champions Young Buffaloes will lock horns with Manzini Wanderers. The sides will be battling out for the E20 000 championship prize. This events will be preceded by cultural finals.
The prince, speaking during the event, which was attended by SMVAF Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khangezile Mabuza, local football administrator, clubs’ representatives as well as cultural team’s envoys, said the last time he checked the tournament is watched by over 52 countries and violence has no room on Sunday.
“The police are not deployed to watch against violence and the King is expecting to see every liSwati happy on the day,” the Prince said.
He added that the King is expecting a violence-free event at the stadium.
His words were echoed by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Polycarp Dlamini, who also warned against violence, stating that this as not good for football as it chases away sponsors.
The SMVAF CEO was also against any form of violence during the event, which is expected to attract a massive number of supporters locally and internationally .
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Ingwenyama Cup Chairman Prince Hlangabeza (C) on behalf of His Majesty King Mswati III presenting Green Mamba’s CEO Nthuthuko Dlamini (L) and midfielder Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu their kit to be used in the finals on Sunday.