16-TEAM LEAGUE NOT STOPPING RELEGATION

MBABANE – Contrary to popular belief, the proposed 16-team league will not stop relegation even if it is to be implemented with immediate effect.

The 16-team league proposal was top of the agenda in this past Thursday’s Premier of League of Eswatini (PLE) extraordinary meeting, but the issue was deferred, pending the formation of a committee to look into the viability of the proposal. Timelines had not been set on when the committee would finalise the issue.

impeccable

While the media was not allowed inside the meeting, it was reliably gathered through impeccable sources that relegation would go ahead even if the teams were to be increased as early as next season. Speculation was rife that there would be no relegation at the end of the season and the two promoted teams from the National First Division would complete the 16-team league line-up. Unpacking the proposal, a well-informed source said the first decision to be made was whether Eswatini should have a 16- team league or not. The next step is to look into its viability, sponsorship, benefits/advantages and value of the league, among other things. “One of the obvious benefits is that it means more game time for players so that they clock the required 40 games per season. It is a step towards professionalism,” shared the source.

With relegation going ahead, a pending decision to be made if the teams will be increased next season is how to make the 16 teams. This is the responsibility of the committee that is yet to be announced.  PLE Chairman Mark Carmichael, interviewed shortly after the meeting, this past week, had hinted that nothing had changed regarding relegation in the top-tier and lower divisions. 

feasibility

“The executive was tasked with checking the feasibility of a 16-team league and we will meet  to discuss it. We will have a workshop to discuss most of the things that were on the agenda and also the feasibility of the NFD league becoming a development league of Under-23s,” the Denver Sundowns boss said. The last time the teams were increased several years ago, teams that were supposed to go down benefitted. They were headlined by Mbabane Highlanders. Meanwhile, teams that are currently in the drop zone are Moneni Pirates and Denver Sundowns, with the likes of Manzini Wanderers and Ezulwini United also seriously in danger.

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