Football

MBABANE – Hosting games away from preferred venues is proving costly for Eswatini’s football heavyweights based in Mbabane.

On Sunday, Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini attracted over 3 000 paying fans for a double-header featuring Moneni Pirates, Mbabane Highlanders as hosts and Ezulwini  United and Amawele as visitors. Each fan paid E50, but both clubs walked away with far less than the numbers suggested.

Under Article 27.2, clubs must submit a written sharing formula before matchday. Statutory deductions, including 20 per cent for the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) administration, stadium levies and security costs, are applied first, leaving the remainder to be divided — often modestly — between co-hosting teams.

Mbabane Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya weighed in, highlighting the broader impact of shared venues.

“Sharing venues affects us beyond gate takings. We sometimes have to travel long distances even for home games, which creates logistical challenges for the club and our supporters. Co-hosting is never ideal — the split is usually 60-40 or 70-30 or 50-50 and often we feel short-changed.”

The Mbabane derby between Highlanders and Swallows alone can attract 4 000 to 5 000 supporters, generating substantial revenue, yet with Somhlolo National Stadium still unavailable for domestic league matches, Mbabane clubs rely on Mavuso Sports Centre, shared with Manzini sides.

Full article available in our publication.

Mbabane Highlanders’ Simphiwe Cele glides past a crunching tackle from Amawele’s Lethukukhanya Dlamini during an MTN Premier League clash at Mavuso Sports Centre (Pic: Sanele Jele)