MBABANE – Chaos broke out during the Hhohho Regional Football Association (HRFA) nomination process at Nkhaba League, resulting in police intervention to restore order.
While nominations proceeded smoothly across the other 12 HRFA leagues, disorder erupted at Nkhaba on August 8, 2026, when the nominating officer was denied the opportunity to announce the results.
According to a witness, some affiliates objected to the use of ballot papers that revealed the identity of the nominating team.
Facing resistance, the officer contacted the HRFA, leading to police being called to normalise the situation.
“The process was explained before nominations. They didn’t dispute anything until when results were announced,” said another source.
Although nominations eventually proceeded using the usual ballots, the officer was reportedly barred from announcing the final results.
Affiliates demanded clarity regarding the ballot papers, which had surprisingly been utilised across all other leagues. Additional reports indicated that a certain hopeful was dissatisfied with the executive positions for which he had been nominated.
Further claims emerged regarding attempts to burn ballot papers and allegations that the officer was held hostage. However, one implicated candidate dismissed allegations of holding the officer hostage, attributing police presence to panic on the part of the HRFA.
HRFA Secretary Ntokozo Tsela confirmed the incident, stating that his office received disturbing reports of nominees expressing dissatisfaction with their nominated roles.
“In elections, you are deployed by clubs. You don’t choose a position you want. As an outgoing executive, our duty is to protect the constitution. We have further learnt of attempts to instruct teams to petition the office, much against the clear protocols of voicing concerns,” said Tsela.
Tsela added that the nomination process is now complete across all leagues ahead of the September 13, 2026 poll.
While the official candidate list is yet to be released, incumbent Chairman Dr Comfort Shongwe has re-entered the race.
The HRFA chairman automatically secures a seat on the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Executive Committee, the highest decision-making body in Eswatini football.
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