By Bongiwe Dlamini

MBABANE:Soccer fans in Eswatini are in for a treat this weekend as INSTACASH,the country’s newest mobile money operator teams up with eBet, a leading sports betting firm, to host the highly anticipated ‘INSTACASH Hhohho FA Cup’.

The games will take place on August 24 and 25, 2024, across four(4) venues in the Hhohho region that include Mdzimba,Ntfonjeni,Lobamba, and Timphisini.

The tournament promises a thrilling atmosphere as a total of 16 teams vie for the prestigious title. Each venue will host its own tournament, culminating in finals that will determine the champions from their respective leagues.

The action kicks off on Saturday, August 24, with two tournaments, the Mdzimba tournament will be held at Hhukwini Sports Ground, and the Ntfonjeni tournament will take place at Ntfonjeni High School Sports Ground.

At Hhukwini Sports Ground, fans can expect an electrifying start as Rhomba Stars face off against Sibuyeni at 9am, following that,Real Monaco will take on Ntsintsa at 11am.

The winners of both matches will meet in the final scheduled for 3pm, offering a great opportunity for local talent to showcase their skills.

 Simultaneously, the Ntfonjeni tournament will feature a nail-biting semifinal between Sun-City and Barcelona at 9am followed by Trounge United against Zibonele at 11am.

The winners will also clash in a highly awaited final at 3pm, Sunday’s matches promise an equally exciting lineup. 

At Embo Sports Ground in Lobamba, Power Stars will go head-to-head with Luveve Killers at 9am, while Kusasa Sporting will play against Lusito Lions at 11am.

As with Saturday,the champions will be crowned in a final at 3pm.

 Meanwhile, at LFTC Sports Ground in Timphisini, the first match features Kudvwaleni United against Hhohho Pirates at 9am followed by Njakeni City taking on Soccer Rose at 11 AM. 

The climax of the day will be the final at 3pm,where the victorious will earn the coveted title.

 Mandla ‘Cheeks’ Nxumalo, Managing Director of INSTACASH, has called upon fans to come out in numbers to support their local teams, he emphasised the importance of showing up to witness the raw talent the region has to offer. 

Fans should bring their IDs to transact at the INSTACASH and eBet stalls, which will also feature opportunities to win branded merchandise.

 The tournament champions will be rewarded with R2,500 in prize money, a full soccer kit valued at R5,000, a trophy, and gold medals. The second-place teams will receive R2,500 and silver medals. Moreover, the two semifinalists will each take home R1,000, while the top goal scorer and Player of the Tournament will share an additional R500.00 promoting not only team spirit but individual excellence as well.

 The four teams participating in the tournaments owe their chance at glory to their effective recruitment efforts, converting numerous customers to the popular INSTACASH Funeral Cover. This cover, available at E15 monthly premiums, offers a payout of E10,000 upon the policyholder’s demise. Only customers aged between 18 and 70 are eligible to sign up for this facility.

 In a related note, teams from Ntabinezimpisi, whose tournament was postponed from August 18, are invited to attend a supplementary training session on Saturday, August 24, starting at 9:30am at Ntfonjeni High School. Bongani ‘Tizalami’ Dube, INSTACASH’s Commercial Manager, encourages each team to send at least one representative to ensure they are well-prepared for upcoming competitions.

 The Hhohho FA Cup is part of a larger initiative that includes three regional FA Cups and one League Cup being conducted nationwide by INSTACASH and eBet this year. This commitment not only highlights the growing popularity of soccer in Eswatini but also underscores the vital role local businesses play in nurturing sports and community engagement.

 As excitement builds for this weekend’s fixtures, the INSTACASH Hhohho FA Cup is set to be a memorable experience for players and fans alike, focusing on sportsmanship,talent, and community spirit. Don't miss out on the action!