MBABANE – Panic!
That is the only word to describe the atmosphere surrounding capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders, who have raised urgent safety concerns ahead of their short trip to the Prince of Wales Sports Ground this afternoon.
Inkunzi’emnyama are scheduled to visit MTN Premier League rookies Amawele in a mini-Mbabane derby, marking the first-ever meeting between the two sides. The side led by Ernest Mavuso is particularly uneasy regarding the venue’s open nature, which offers little in the way of crowd control.
Highlanders’ General Manager (GM) Richard Makhoba insisted that safety should have been the top priority for this fixture. These fears are not without merit; just three days ago, the situation turned ugly at the Mavuso Sports Centre when disgruntled supporters bayed for Ernest’s blood. The fans’ frustrations boiled over after the ‘Black Bull’ surrendered a 2–0 lead to draw 2–2 with a 10-man Green Mamba.
The coach had to be whisked out of the stadium in a police van for his own protection.
Makhoba stated that the Prince of Wales is not a suitable venue to host a Mbabane Highlanders fixture.
He argued that given their large supporter base, it would be suicidal to play there as the safety of everyone involved is compromised. While the team will travel to the venue as the away side, Makhoba said they wish to formally register their dissatisfaction. He also called for calm and patience among the fans as the club navigates a period of inconsistent results.
Highlanders are not the first major club to play at this venue, as fellow giants Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers have both been hosted by the rookies there. While matches involving Wanderers and Manzini Sea Birds passed without violence, recent history at the ground has been volatile.
On December 20, 2025, Swallows fans breached the red tape designed to keep them 10 metres from the pitch, nearly assaulting Assistant Referee Zamani Simelane after a last-gasp winner was disallowed. In a subsequent fixture, officials from Sea Birds and Swallows clashed behind the goalposts, requiring police intervention.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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