Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ VS ’DOWNS IN QUARTERS

‘BIRDS’ VS ’DOWNS IN QUARTERS
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BY ASHMOND NZIMA on 15/01/2019 01:09:00


MBABANE – The Ingwenyama Cup quarter-final draw has produced familiar
match-ups.
Holders and three-time champions Mbabane Swallows will continue their title
defence against ‘familiar ghosts’ in Manzini Sundowns, in a repeat of the
first two editions’ semi-finals, which the capital city giants won by 5-2 and
2-1, respectively.
Royal Leopard, who were the first team  to come off the pot during yesterday’s
draw at the sponsor Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund’s head office in
Mbabane, will also meet familiar opposition in Young  Buffaloes.
The sides are meeting in the tournament for a third straight year. They had fair
share of wins in previous meetings, with Buffaloes winning by 1-0 in the second
edition’s Last 16 match-up.
Leopard, who were the runners-up in the last instalment, beat Buffaloes by the
same scoreline in the semi-finals.
In another interesting match-up, improving Matsapha United will be looking to
deny Mbabane Highlanders their first-ever appearance in the semi-finals of the
prestigious tournament. Highlanders needed to grind out a 1-0 on the road in
their league fixture against Matsapha this season.
The quarter-final line-up is completed by National First Division best finishers
Tinyosi and Pigg’s Peak-based Premier League side Malanti Chiefs.
For Swallows and Sundowns, it is ‘round three’ this season, as they are
fresh from a feisty league showdown, which ended 2-1 in favour of the red and
white ensemble. The first round meeting saw Sundowns recording a 1-0 win.
The games, according to a fixture released by the management committee after the
draw, will be played at Somhlolo National Stadium between this coming Saturday
and Sunday from 2pm.  The first two quarter-finals will feature the quartet of
Malanti, Tinyosi, Leopard and Buffaloes.
The pairings were made before guests led by tournament Committees Chairman
Prince Hlangabeza, who strongly warned against violent conduct at stadia. SMVAF
CEO Helmon Vilakati and Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Peter
‘Touch’ Magagula could also not miss out.
While the mood was relaxed leading up to the draw, team representatives started
having ants in their pants when it was time for the pairings. Like in previous
draws, teams were randomly drawn from the pot. The first four teams to come out
were Leopard, Sundowns, Malanti and Highlanders. The next teams to come out of
the pot were the opponents and it took the crashing of the ball to know
Leopard’s opponents, as the small ‘orb’ containing Buffaloes’ name did
not open after fruitless attempts.
War
A war of words expectedly ensured after the draw, with the teams’ public
relations officers confident of going all the way. “It’s a fair draw and we
look beyond Buffaloes in our bid to achieve our ultimate goal,” said Leopard
PRO Frank Hurube.
Malanti and Tinyosi, on the other hand, were notably represented by ladies in
Lungile Dube and Thobile Dlamini, respectively. The latter welcomed the draw
while Dube felt her team needed to swim with the sharks in chase of a spot in
the semi-finals.