10-TEAM LEAGUE OR NO RELEGATION

MBABANE – The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is in a relegation conundrum in the National First Division League.

As things stand, the MTN Premier League and MTN National First Division League, which are the only ones allowed to host football games in the country outside of national squads, have wrapped up. the top league had 16 teams and the second tier had 14. This means that the once postponed Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) annual general meeting (AGM) which finally gets underway this Saturday, will confirm its members for next season’s elite league and those for first division. The AGM had been scheduled for last month-end but could not take off as the league was still playing. “It’ll be an interesting AGM as there are some hot topics in as far as relegation in the first division is concerned. Already, the four clubs that should go down from first division to super league are talking and wondering if this was their end in football as COVID-19 rendered regional football banned in the country since March last year.

“One of the things we see happening or feel can be done by the EFA to help the PLE is not to relegate the four teams as they have already been active in the country’s second tier league, than perhaps the option of promoting the runners-up of the last season from the leagues that were active or we’ll have a 10-team league,” said one of the relegation candidates in the first division. Another of the four teams was called on the matter but asked not to comment until the AGM as they were uncertain what would happen as yet.

However, he did say they would joyfully accept the decision not to relegate under the circumstances. “It’s a tough matter as COVID-19 got us here so we’ll wait and see,” said the official on condition of anonymity. What makes it 10 teams in the first division next season is that should relegation of the four clubs be confirmed and then the top two getting promoted into the top flight, there will be eight teams remaining that will then be joined by two from the elite league being Mhlume Peacemakers and Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows.

Chop

Those facing the chop in first division are Umbelebele to Hhohho Super League, Sisonkhe to Manzini Super League, Ludzeludze Killers to Manzini Super League and Rail United to Lubombo Super League. PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati was questioned about this on national radio Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) last Friday morning.

guided

“We’re only guided by the EFA in terms of promotion and relegation otherwise as PLE we play what has been availed to us. It is the EFA that will guide us on that,” he responded. Called by this publication yesterday, Vilakati referred questions to the EFA while also saying that the PLE would have its AGM this Saturday. It could not be confirmed if the teams had submitted any proposal for the AGM to oppose relegation as the situation had always been coming and quite obvious as COVID-19 continues to ravage the country in the third wave. EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said a statement on various topical issues would soon be issued as they were also reviewing the season and planning for the future.

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