Ingwenyama cup play-offs: Sundowns, Sidwashini kept apart

ByMACHAWE FAKUDZE7 January 20261 Mins read0 Views

PLE Vice-chairman Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba (L) explaining the reason behind the Ingwenyama Cup play-offs before the draw at Sigwaca House yesterday. Next to him is PLE CEO Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati. (Pic: Machawe Fakudze)

(At Sigwaca House)

MBABANE – The battle lines have been drawn!

The stage is set for the inaugural Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Ingwenyama Cup play-offs this weekend.

During the draw held at Sigwaca House yesterday, it was confirmed that the four winning sides will progress to the main tournament.

Addressing representatives from the eight competing teams during the draw, PLE Football Manager Banele ‘Dingz’ Masondo revealed that the league is currently in negotiations with the owners of the Manzini Club Sports Ground and Bhunya Stadium to host the fixtures. The PLE later secured Manzini Club and Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend.

The event was attended by high-ranking officials, including PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati and Vice Chairman Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba.

Late last year, the Polycarp Dlamini-led organisation released a circular informing MulaSport National First Division (NFD) clubs that the bottom eight teams on the log, as of January 5, 2026, would compete in these play-offs.

Explaining how the PLE Executive Committee (ExCo) arrived at the play-off format, Mamba noted that the decision followed the expansion of both the MTN Premier League and the NFD to 16 clubs each, totalling 32 teams. He revealed that the contract with the sponsor, the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), stipulates that only 32 teams may compete, four of whom must come from the regional leagues.

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Cash boost for play-off teams

MBABANE – Relief!

The eight teams competing for the four remaining slots in the inaugural Ingwenyama Cup play-offs are guaranteed a participation fee.

These clubs comprise the teams currently occupying the bottom eight positions in the MulaSport National First Division (NFD).

The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) explained that the Executive Committee (ExCo) arrived at the play-off format following the expansion of both the MTN Premier League and the NFD to 16 clubs each, totalling 32 teams.

The contract with the sponsor, the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF), stipulates that only 32 teams may compete, four of whom must be drawn from the regional leagues. This was clarified by PLE Vice Chairman Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba during the play-off draw held at Sigwaca House yesterday.

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