PIGG’S PEAK – Boost!
Pigg’s Peak Spar and Meru Filling Station yesterday presented four match kits valued at E20 000 to the Eswatini Referees Association (ERA) yesterday.
The sponsorship handover took place at the newly-opened Meru Filling Station. The event was attended by ERA Chairman Mbongiseni Fakudze, Secretary General (SG) Mbongeni Shongwe and various members of the association, including FIFA-accredited referee Thembinkosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini.
Speaking at the presentation, Meru Filling Station Manager Precious Dlamini explained that they gladly accepted the ERA’s proposal, noting that they hope to gain valuable brand mileage from the partnership.
“We, together with Spar, agreed to sponsor the referees with four kits valued at E20 000,” Dlamini announced.
ERA Chairman Mbongiseni Fakudze expressed his gratitude to both Spar and Meru for their timely support, pledging that the association would actively promote both businesses during the upcoming tournament.
“We will be welcoming referees from KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng and Mozambique for these games,” Fakudze revealed.
Eswatini is hosting this exciting regional showpiece, which brings together football match officials from across Southern Africa. The tournament, which was hosted by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) last year, provides a platform for top-tier whistleblowers to take to the pitch, foster regional relationships and share professional insights.
ERA Secretary General Mbongeni Shongwe announced that the South African contingent will be headlined by celebrated referee Abongile Tom and assistant referee Zakhele Siwela, both of whom are fresh from officiating at the 2026 International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
The highly-anticipated games are scheduled to be played at the Killarney Sports Ground in Pigg’s Peak over the weekend of July 24, 2026. This will be the second edition of the regional referees’ games, following the inaugural tournament held in Durban last year.
“We urge our members and the nation at large to support these businesses so that they can continue to support our sport,” Shongwe concluded.
