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HEAD-TO-HEAD RULE CHANGED

02/11/2021 08:38:00 BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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MBABANE – The controversial head-to-head rule has been changed for the 2021/22 MTN Premier League season.

This comes after some complaints from teams last year, when the head-to-head rule was applied before the goal difference. Mbabane Highlanders were the most affected by the rule as they finished fifth while Green Mamba was handed the fourth spot. Both teams had the same number of points with Highlanders having a better goal difference but Green Mamba were favoured by the head-to-head rule and they took home the E200 000 fourth finishing prize money while Highlanders got E100 000.

A head-to-head rule is for breaking ties in association football, when at last two (2) teams in a league competition or qualifying group or championship are level on points, where in order to separate them, the match or matches in which they played are considered. The team that has won the head-to-head encounter (match between the two tying teams) was placed higher than the other team. Where the competition is played on a home-and-away basis such as the league, the head-to-head rule, has inherent rule away-goal rule.

Majority

In a majority of leagues, the head to head comes third in giving positions after the number of points accumulated and the team with better goal difference. According to the 2021/22 MTN Premier Legaue rules and regulations released by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) last Thursday, if teams have the same number of points at the end of the second round, the positions on the log will be determined by the best goal difference. If still there is a tie, the club having scored the most goals shall be declared the winner. Then if the case still fails, then the head-to-head rule will apply.

PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati confirmed the change of the rule. He said all teams have been presented with the rules and they will have to adhere to them for the smooth running of the league. “The teams will have to go through the rules and regulations and they must understand them before the kick-off as that will give a smooth sailing of the games,” he said. The MTN Premier League is expected to kick off this weekend. The kick-off has already been postponed twice due to unforeseen circumstances.