MBABANE – Manzini Wanderers have endured a difficult period in recent seasons, with the 2025/26 campaign starting as one of their worst in recent memory.
After the first nine games of this season, the club have only managed five points from one win, two draws and six losses, leaving them rooted at the bottom of the 16-team log.
Historically, Wanderers have had a more competitive start to the season, though recent years have also been challenging. In the 2023/24 season, the club accumulated six points from one win, three draws and five losses in the opening nine games and ended the season in 14th place with 21 points. They were, however, spared relegation after winning a prolonged court case following the 2023/24 season, when Denver Sundowns player Jimoh Moses was declared ineligible. Wanderers had initially faced relegation, but the court ruling reversed the outcome.
The 2022/23 campaign was the difficult by far, with Wanderers collecting only four points from one win, one draw and seven losses in the first nine games.
Despite the poor start, they managed to recover somewhat to finish in 10th place on 27 points.
In 2021/22, the team began strongly, earning 17 points from five wins, two draws and two losses in their first nine games, ultimately finishing sixth with 40 points.
Similarly, in the 2020/21 season, they started with 13 points from three wins, four draws and two losses, ending the season again in sixth place but with 47 points.
The 2019/20 season saw Wanderers begin with 12 points from three wins and the same number of draws and losses in their first nine games, ending the campaign in 11th place with 17 points.
Off the pitch, the maroon and ensemble have faced a series of challenges that have compounded on-field struggles. Wanderers did not participate in the 2024/25 season due to a prolonged court battle. Director Mlamuli Mabuza reportedly resigned amid internal turmoil earlier this season, while players threatened to down tools over alleged unpaid salaries.
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