‘BIRDS’ OUT OF E2M MOMO CUP

EZULWINI – A dramatic voting exercise in the MTN FinTech Eswatini-sponsored inaugural MoMo Cup has left the ‘Big Three’ with eggs splattered on their faces.

The country’s ‘Big Three’ are Mbabane Highlanders, Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Swallows, who have all failed to collect enough votes to maintain their seeding in the MoMo Cup. Swallows have suffered the biggest setback following their complete elimination in the tournament, while Highlanders and Wanderers will be among four teams to fight for the lone spot in the semifinals.

The ‘Big Three’ were seeded when the tournament was launched in August. The seeding meant they automatically qualified for the semifinals of the four-team tournament provided that, among other things, they collected 20 000 votes apiece. They were also tasked to outvote the rest of the unseeded teams but it did not happen as per the final voting figures. When the curtain fell on the voting exercise on Sunday midnight, Moneni Pirates, Rangers and Nsingizini Hotspurs, in that order, emerged as the best three voting sides after raking in votes between 24 256 and 28 161.

Moneni Pirates who also claim to have a big status same as the big three, were the surprise package and they topped all the 28 teams with 28 161. Fourth-placed Highlanders were closest to retaining the seeding status with 20 346 votes. In essence, the top three voting teams are the new ‘seeded’ sides, as they have automatically qualified for the main tournament and they are guaranteed a minimum of E100 000 for reaching the semis. The last final spot will be filled by the winner of the play-offs that are headlined by the match-up between Highlanders and Wanderers this coming Saturday. Denver Sundowns will face off with another surprise package in Manzini Sea Birds in the other play-offs semifinals. The winner after the finals will qualify for the main tournament.

draw

This is as per the draw conducted in the presence of MTN officials and Premier League of Eswatini Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya after the announcement of the results at the sponsor’s headquarters in Ezulwini yesterday. Like the main tournament, this coming Saturday’s play-offs set for King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano will be a one-day tournament. Highlanders and Wanderers have a date in the first semifinal at 9am. Sea Birds and Sundowns cross swords two hours later. The final will be played later on the day with the winner joining the trio in the semifinals. The Premier League of Eswatini is expected to release the fixture today.

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