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TRICKY DRAW FOR BIG 3

06/12/2017 03:31:00 BY CHRIS DLAMINI

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EZULWINI – Buckle Up! The third edition of the lucrative Ingwenyama Cup knockout is upon us – starting this Friday.

After it was officially launched yesterday inside the luxurious Gigi’s Restaurant at Royal Swazi Spa, the Last 32 draw was conducted and everyone left knowing who they would be playing this weekend. The 32 teams comprise 14 elite sides, 12 First Division teams and six from the regions where the tournament started; making it 106 teams that participated in total.

As usual, all eyes are on the country’s crowd pullers, being the top three teams, two-time winners and defending champions Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers. With all 14 elite teams and the First Division top two, Mbabane Citizens and Madlenya seeded, there was no way they could clash in the early stages.

After all was done and dusted with the draw, it turned out Swallows would face Manzini Super League side Stumbo XI from Malkerns, Highlanders start off against the regional champions City Warriors, who have declared they target the Last 8, while Wanderers are also up for a tricky one against First Division side Sikhalo Se-Africa from Lubombo.

Interestingly, all three giant sides will be home to their rivals on Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium, with Highlanders and Warriors going on each other’s throats at 11am, Wanderers next at 1pm before Swallows end the day with Stumbo XI at 3pm. Other interesting fixtures will see a derby between Manzini Sundowns and their First Division cousins Hub Sundowns, a match scheduled for Saturday in Mavuso, whereby Royal Leopard will also be up against former elite side and now First Division, Bad Boys.

The densely populated town of Matsapha was not left out in as far derby fixtures are concerned, as elite rookies come face to face with First Division side Milling Hot Spurs. The full fixture will be laid out below, otherwise the giant sides will be the centre of attraction in a tournament full of upsets.