MANZINI – Ibuyile!
The popular tournament has finally returned and the race to crown Eswatini’s champions received a major boost yesterday after the PLE secured a lucrative E1.5 million Charity Cup sponsorship.
The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman, Polycarp Dlamini, confirmed the latest developments, noting that the purse may increase with more partners expected to come on board. This marked the official launch of the 2026/27 Charity Cup after a hiatus, with the tournament last played in 2019.
Mbabane Highlanders were the last team to claim the trophy in 2019 when it was played under the EswatiniBank banner.
The black and white capital city giants defeated Manzini Wanderers 3-1 in that memorable final, which was played at the Somhlolo National Stadium. The launch event was held before dignitaries at the luxurious The George Hotel in Manzini. Among the notable attendees were the Minister for Housing and Urban Development Appolo Maphalala, who represented the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima; Under Secretary (US) Mzwandile Mthethwa; Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane and his Secretary General, the EFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu; the PLE chairman; Skyfly officials; team administrators and supporters. Maphalala declared the voting lines officially open.
“The E1.5 million is a seed approach by the PLE in addressing the situation. We, therefore, call upon our key stakeholders in this fight, which are the supporters, to lead the way as always. They are the spiritual owners of the clubs and we believe the Charity Cup once again gives them an opportunity to play a crucial role in nation-building,” Dlamini stated.
PLE Head of Marketing Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo reminisced about the tournament’s previous editions.
“The Charity Cup is not merely a football tournament, but a movement of kindness. It became the one event where rivalries paused, colours blended and the entire kingdom stood as one. The PLE Charity Cup became more than a match. It became a symbol of unity, a reminder that Eswatini is strongest when its people act with compassion,” he remarked.
Prior to the launch, Nsingizini Hotspurs supporter Mbuso Dlamini was awarded a E2 500 trolley dash for recording the highest number of votes among the 96 per cent who voted in favour of the tournament’s return. He utilised the voucher at OK Foods in Ngwane Park.
Manzini Wanderers Head of Communications Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini said Public Relations Officers (PROs) would ensure teams met their required target of votes.
“This is where we usually identify players. Supporters voted and the tournament is back. We will go all out to ensure our teams meet the required target of votes. We understand clearly what this tournament is about. Charity is about being able to give to those who do not have,” he said.
It was earlier revealed that the PLE, in partnership with Skyfly, had targeted 150 000 votes. They had proposed a sponsorship package valued at E5 million, consisting of a E3 million title sponsorship and E1.5 million partner sponsorships. The champions are expected to pocket E1 million, the runners-up will receive E500 000 and all participating teams will be guaranteed E100 000 each.
All 32 PLE teams are eligible to participate and voting has opened. The top six teams from the voting phase will qualify for the tournament, kicking off with the play-offs on September 27 before the semi-finals and final scheduled for October 4. Each vote costs E3. Additionally, the top two voting MulaSport National First Division (NFD) teams will be guaranteed a spot to play against each other on the final day and will be allocated E200 000.
Beyond the entertainment on the pitch, proceeds from the event will go directly towards benefitting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charitable bodies.
It is also worth noting the prestigious corporate partners who have carried this tournament through its remarkable history. They include Swazi Paper Mills, the pioneers of the Charity Cup in 1993, before the Premier League became the custodians of the PLE Charity Cup from 1996 to 2000. The Baphalali Red Cross Charity Cup then upheld the spirit of community service in 2001, followed by the unwavering commitment of Swazi Telecom, who stood with the nation for 18 solid years as the proud sponsors of the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup.
The MoMo Cup, which was won back-to-back by Nsingizini Hotspurs was the last tournament to use the voting format.
