SOCCER – The tension at the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund auditorium was so thick one could cut through it with a knife as club representatives converged to learn their opponents in the Ingwenyama Cup Last 16.
Rangers were the first team out of the pot in the draw led by Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer Petros Vilakati and Football Manager Banele Masondo.
Tension eased as each team discovered their fate, but the biggest fixture of the round will see Mbabane Highlanders clash with Nsingizini Hotspurs.
The two sides will meet again barely a week after last Saturday’s six-goal thriller at King Sobhuza II Stadium in the MTN Premier League. Nsingizini emerged 4-2 winners in that encounter.
In another interesting pairing, defending Ingwenyama Cup champions were drawn against rivals Green Mamba in a security forces derby.
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In other matches, last year’s finalists Moneni Pirates will take on a vastly improved Ezulwini United, while three-time Ingwenyama Cup champions Mbabane Swallows face Amawele in a mini capital city derby.
2019 champions Young Buffaloes will battle Sisonkhe.
The two remaining National First Division clubs in the competition, Msumpe Manchester and Madlenya, were handed relatively manageable fixtures against Rangers and Malanti Chiefs, respectively.
All matches are scheduled for the upcoming weekend.
“We are working closely with stadium owners and a fixture will be released before the end of the day. The MC’s idea is to have matches across the different regions of the country,” Vilakati said after the draw.
Sponsors Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) Chief Executive Officer Khangeziwe Mabuza encouraged teams and supporters to maintain the good behaviour witnessed in previous rounds.
“We must accept results because in football there is always one winner. We also encourage team representatives to spread the word of road safety, which remains the core mandate of partnering with football,” she said.
…Refs human too – Polycarp
SOCCER – In the absence of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) in local football, PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini is preaching tolerance and understanding towards the ‘men in black’ as the Ingwenyama Cup enters a crucial stage.
Dlamini acknowledged during the Last 16 draw at the SMVAF offices that tensions in knockout matches can be high and encouraged clubs to accept results while preserving the dignity and magnitude of the Ingwenyama Cup.
“Referees are human beings and we currently do not have VAR to scrutinise decisions. Mistakes are part of football.
“We call for a violence-free tournament and encourage teams to make the competition exciting by urging supporters to come out in numbers to the different playing venues,” Dlamini said.
Mduduzi ‘Di Dang’ Mkhabela delivered a strong road safety message on behalf of the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund.
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Supporters travelling to matches at Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre were urged to plan their routes in advance, allow for heavy traffic and ensure all passengers wear seatbelts.
Motorists were advised to be cautious around large crowds, follow marshals’ instructions and use designated drop-off zones. After matches, drivers were urged to remain patient, avoid aggressive behaviour and never drink and drive.
