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BIRDS TO FACE NSINGIZINI TOMORROW

By XOLISILE SACOLO | 2024-09-04

SOCCER - CAPITAL city side Mbabane Swallows and ambitious Nsingizini Hotspurs will headline the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup quarterfinals after both teams advanced to the next stage of the tournament.

This comes after both teams won their matches over the weekend. The ‘Beautiful Birds’ beat Sisonkhe 1-0 while Insingizi Yezulu also got the better of Manzini Wanderers, winning with the same score margin.

This was during the opening games of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup played at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday. Swallows won through an own goal after Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula unleashed a hard shot that deflected into the net after a defender tried to block it.

Nsingizini’s goal was scored by midfielder Alvin Shabashie in the first half.
What makes this match interesting is that Nsingizini knocked Mbabane Swallows out of the MoMo Cup finals played at the same venue.

The two teams also met recently during the Red Card GBV Cup played in eMalahleni, South Africa, where Nsingizini Hotspurs won 1-0 in the finals to lift the cup. Swallows will be all out for revenge in this match. The red and white ensemble will be keen to advance to the semi-finals and claim this piece of silverware early in the season.

Encourage
But Insingizi Yezulu provide a hurdle they have to clear first. Nsingizini Hotspurs PRO Mnotfo Dlamini invited their fans to come and cheer the players on.

“Mine is just to encourage our fans to come in their numbers and watch a great match. I want to thank them for always rallying behind the team even when we play outside the country.” He said this would not be an easy match, but they would fight for positive results.

“Our main aim is to go all the way in this tournament and we will give it our best shot.” He also thanked their President Derrick Shiba for supporting the team. “Shiba is doing the most for the team and we appreciate him. We will reward him by winning this tournament.”

Mbabane Swallows PRO Knowledge Ngwenya said they were looking forward to the match. “Our wish is to go all the way to the finals. It is never easy in a knockout tournament, but we are ready to fight until the end.”

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