Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ MONEY KINGS OF 2024

‘BIRDS’ MONEY KINGS OF 2024
================================================================================
Mengameli Mabuza on 17/12/2024 08:23:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows have ascended to remarkable financial heights in
2024, firmly establishing themselves as the undisputed kings of cash this
season.
Their stellar performance in the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup has resulted in a
lucrative runner-up prize of E530 000, significantly enhancing their already
substantial financial reserves.
The giants of Mbabane further bolstered their earnings by clinching the
prestigious MTN Premier League trophy, which came with a substantial prize of E1
million. Although they faced disappointment in the quarter-finals of the Trade
Fair Cup, where they were eliminated by Nsingizini Hotspurs, Swallows continued
to enjoy a financial windfall.
They  got a participation fee of E895 425 alongside Nsingizini, as part of their
entry to the preliminary rounds of the TotalEnergies Confederation of African
Football (CAF) Champions League and the TotalEnergies CAF Confederations Cup,
with additional funds expected at the end of the season. These combined earnings
have propelled the Mbabane outfit to a total of E2.4 million, solidifying their
position as the undeniable financial leaders of the 2023/24 season. In the race
for financial supremacy, Green Mamba secured the runner-up position, amassing a
total of E1.9 million after winning the prestigious Ingwenyama Cup.
This success was complemented by an additional E500 000 as a runner-up from the
previous season, along with E25 000 earned for their quarter-final exit from the
Trade Fair Cup at the hands of Young Buffaloes. Nsingizini Hotspurs, under the
guidance of coach Derrick Shiba, claimed third place on the financial
leaderboard, totalling E1.6 million.Their earnings included a significant CAF
participation fee of E350 000 for their third place finish in the previous
season, and a further E75 000 from their quarter-final defeat to Moneni Pirates
in the Trade Fair Cup. Young Buffaloes rounded out the top four, with total
earnings of E1.2 million for the 2023/24 season.
Ttriumphed
Their successful run in the Trade Fair Cup, where they triumphed over Moneni
Pirates in the final, added a notable E600 000 to their accounts. Additionally,
their journey to the Ingwenyama Cup semi-finals against Green Mamba netted E420
000, while their fourth-place finish in the previous season’s league standings
brought in a respectable E200 000. Meanwhile, despite a relatively quiet season,
Mbabane Highlanders managed to secure E510 000 in earnings. Moneni Pirates, who
finished as runners-up in the Trade Fair Cup final, also enjoyed a profitable
year, adding E350 000 to their coffers. Attempts to reach Mbabane Swallows’
Public Relations Officer, Knowledge Ngwenya, for immediate comment were
unsuccessful.