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BIG 3 FOR SUPER SUNDAY!

13/12/2018 03:03:00 BY CHRIS DLAMINI

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Mbabane Swallows PRO Jackson Dlamini (l) and Young Buffaloes Manager Macatha Nhlabatsi holding the trophy during the Ingwenyama Cup Last 32 draw at the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund offices yesterday. (Pic: Ntokozo Magongo)

MBABANE – The fourth edition of the Ingwenyama Cup Last 32 draw has been done and dusted – E1.3 million is at stake for the champions.

It is now cast in stone that the lucrative tournament sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accident Fund (SMVAF) to the tune of E12 million over three years, kicks off tomorrow, with the grand opening slated for Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium.

The draw was held at the SMVAF posh headquarters.
After the draw that appeared relatively easy for the elite sides, especially the big three sides, defending champions Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers, the Management Committee released the fixture for the games to be played throughout the weekend and again next Tuesday where the Last 32 will be completed.

Seeded

Noteworthy is that the elite teams and the top two in First Division were all seeded while 10 from the latter league and six from the regions were put inside the draw box. The seeded teams, according to the fixture, will be away to their smaller rivals.

Meanwhile, Highlanders were drawn against First Division side and former EswatiniBank Cup champions Hub Sundowns, Wanderers meet First Division strugglers and regional champions in last year’s edition, City Warriors while Swallows will face former regional finalists in Super League side Young Movers, who lost in penalties last year to Manzini Sundowns in the Last 32.

The fixture also sees all the giant teams playing in the grand opening on Sunday, with Wanderers and Warriors starting at noon, Highlanders and Hub will follow at 2pm before three-time champions Swallows start their title defence against Super League side Young Movers at 4pm.

The ultimate goal is winning the title and an increased champions’ package of E1.3 million, yet to be approved as Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) CEO Simanga Nhleko said it was still a proposed prize breakdown.