MBABANE – Headache!
This is the situation facing the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) and the Ingwenyama Cup Management Committee (MC), which are grappling with a dilemma over how to structure the 2025/26 edition. The headache stems from the expansion of PLE teams, pushing the total number of clubs involved to 36.
With both the MTN Premier League and the MulaSport National First Division (NFD) increased from 14 to 16 teams, the number of eligible clubs has swollen. The traditional format stipulates that an additional four clubs from the regional Football Associations (FAs) will also qualify for the main draw, pushing the grand total to 36 clubs.
According to a well-placed source, play-offs seem inevitable for this eighth edition of the Ingwenyama Cup showpiece. The source explained that the PLE (MTN Premier League and MulaSport Naional First Division) has historically been allocated 28 slots for the Ingwenyama Cup.
“The PLE has always been allocated 28 slots for the Ingwenyama Cup, and they must now decide how they are going to narrow down from the current 32 teams to 28. The other four slots are for regional champions, who also play in the national phase, as has been the case since the inception of this tournament,” the source said.
The source further noted that, by the look of things, preliminary play-offs will be introduced to determine the final participants in the Last 32 round. However, the source wondered how these participants would be decided, following the recent increase in the membership of the organisation led by Polycarp Dlamini.
In previous editions, the PLE was allocated 28 slots in the tournament—which offers a prized ticket to the TotalEnergies CAF Confederation Cup—while the four FAs each had a single slot. The new league structure immediately throws this tried-and-tested formula into disarray.
The 2025/26 Ingwenyama Cup, sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), was officially launched on Tuesday by the Chairman, Prince Hlangabeza, at Nkhanini in Lobamba. The launch of the annual tournament marks the start of the regional competition, which was won last year by Emajukujuku.
The Ingwenyama Cup MC Chairman, Dr Comfort Shongwe, said they are not worried about the format they will use for this year’s competition, as there are many ways to resolve the challenge they are facing.
“We haven’t yet reached a decision on the format that we will use, but this is not the first time such a thing has happened; we once faced a similar challenge with the EswatinBank Cup. We are not worried at all,” Shongwe stated.
The model for an overloaded draw does exist in Eswatini football history. The now-dormant EswatiniBank Cup was renowned for its preliminary rounds when the number of competing clubs exceeded 32.
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Royal Leopard midfielder Ayanda Kunene dashing away with the ball from Moneni Pirates' Richard Ofoso during the finals of the 2024/25 Ingwenyama Cup at Somhlolo National Stadium.