MANZINI – EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane has condemned actions of violence heading to the 2026 Charity Cup.
The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) president said this in his address at the tournament’s official launch held at The George Hotel. The popular tournament has finally returned and the race to crown Eswatini’s champions received a major boost two days ago after the PLE secured a lucrative E1.5 million Charity Cup sponsorship.
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.
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.
“At this point, the football association would like to appeal to all involved, for the upholding of the spirit of fair play at all times throughout all the stages of the cup. Scenes of violence and deviant behaviour should be alien. Let us all conform to the rules and regulations that will be prepared and ushered, to ensure a smooth sailing to the conclusion of the competition. Let us help create a good family participant and spectator atmosphere,” Simelane remarked.
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.
