MBABANE – The familiar stench of relegation surrounds Lubombo’s CK Survivors, who once again find themselves staring into the abyss after failing to heed the previous season’s warnings.
The curtain raises on the second stanza with the spotlight shifting away from Red Rhinos’ E55 000 first-round incentive and onto the gruelling fight for promotion and the battle to avoid the drop.It appears CK Survivors have failed to learn the harsh lessons of last season. Currently rooted to the bottom of the log, they are haunted by the same ghosts that plagued them last season.
A season ago, they finished in 13th place with an identical points tally, only surviving the axe because relegation was frozen due to the league’s expansion to 16 teams. That lifeline also saved Mankayane United, formerly Pigg’s Peak Rangers and Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows who renamed themselves to Pigg’s Peak Professional.
Now, midway through the 2025/26 campaign, the Lubombo-based side is once again staring into the barrel of relegation. CK Survivors sit rock bottom with 10 points. Hovering just above them are the iconic Ludzeludze club, Killers, who find themselves in familiar territory after finishing just two spots above the danger zone in the 2024/25 season.
The struggle is also shared by Masundvwini Royal Swallows and All Nations, who currently occupy the remaining two relegation slots of the four relegation zone. Meanwhile, former Premier League side, Sidwashini United and newcomers Usutu Liverpool are sitting just two points above the trapdoor.
For these clubs, the mission is to secure their status in the division by any means necessary. At the summit, the view is much brighter. Red Rhinos hold a two-point lead at the top of the table, but Pigg’s Peak Professional are breathing down their necks in second. Madlenya remain in the hunt, trailing the leaders by three points, while Msumpe Manchester cannot be overlooked in the race for the E200 000 championship grand prize.
Leave a comment