By Sibusiso Masilela
Buckle up for an exciting Ingwenyama quarter-final action. Defending champions Green Mamba will take on cup specialists Nsingizini Hotspurs in the biggest last-eight encounter of the prestigious knockout tournament.
The two teams were pitted against each other during the quarter-final draw conducted at SMVAF boardroom on Monday. Green Mamba last tasted glory of the richest knockout tournament in 2019 and they have to overcome the Shiselweni-based side to keep their title defence hopes alive.
There is a lot to play in this match as ‘Inyoka eluhlazana’ recently claimed the scalp of Hotspurs by 4-0 during the two teams’ recent league meeting.
Hotspurs have earned themselves the cup specialists tag after clinching back-to-back Momo Cup titles. Another intriguing quarterfinal is between 2018 champions Young Buffaloes and giant slayers Madlenya who recently sent hub giants Manzini Wanderers packing during the last 16.
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Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders have been handed tricky draws against Pigg’s Peak Rangers and Ezulwini United respectively.
The quarter-final matches are set to take place on the weekend of February 10 -11. Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer Mandla Sibiya said they were looking forward to the match.
“This is going to be a tough match and we won’t underestimate them even though we managed to beat them in the recent league meeting,” he said.
Nsingizini Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mnotfo Nkhosi said they were not intimidated by the opponents.
“We are ready to rewrite history books by beating Green Mamba and we want to avenge our recent league defeat against them. We will do our level best to win this match,” he said.
Giant-slayers Madlenya has vowed to kill another giant in the Ingwenyama Cup in Young Buffaloes. The Siphofaneni-based side recently knocked out hub giants Manzini Wanderers during the last 16.
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Madlenya Public Relations Officer (PRO)Comfort Jele said they want to maintain their goal for the tournament which is to reach the semifinals.
“Our target for the tournament is very clear, which is to reach the last four and we will not afford to spoil it by losing to Buffaloes. We will give the opposition a run for their money,” he said.
Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandile ‘Gwebu said they were going to hammer the opponents.
“Madlenya’s journey in the tournament has come to an end. We will hammer them like we did to other teams. Our mandate for this tournament is clear which to win the tournament and we cannot afford a slip in the tournament,” Gwebu said.
The full quarter-finals draw
Buffaloes vs Madlenya
M.Highlanders vs Ezulwini United
Green Mamba vs Nsingizini
M.Swallows vs Pigg’s Peak Rangers
