MBABANE – The iconic charity cup returns after six years under the Premier League of Eswatini banner offering a E400 000 top prize.
This was confirmed in a circular released by the PLE through the office of Chief Executive Officer Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati on Thursday night.
The tournament was officially launched by PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini during an event held at The George Hotel in Manzini on July 24, 2026, where the E1.5 million sponsorship package was unveiled.
Reflecting on the journey to this launch, the PLE and their partners, Skyfly, had initially projected a E5 million sponsorship, with the champions pocketing E1 million, the runners-up expected to receive E500 000 and all participating teams guaranteed E100 000 each.
This ambitious vision was first shared during a media briefing at Sigwaca House when officials announced their plans to revive the competition, which was used as the official season opener.
Building on that initial vision, the finalised framework outlines that the top six clubs in the televoting system will secure their places in the charity cup, with the leading two sides advancing directly to the semi-finals. The remaining four teams will contest playoff matches, with the winners joining the top two in the next stage. To qualify for the top six, clubs must accumulate a minimum of 20 000 votes through the PLE televoting system which is open to all clubs from both the Premier League and the National First Division.
As teams battle for glory, the financial rewards extend deeply across the competition. The runners-up will pocket E200 000, while the semi-finalists get E100 000, each and the playoff losers take home E50 000 each. Additionally competing sides will receive E15 000 each as a participation fee alongside a E60 000 budget allocated for purchasing kits.
Individual excellence will also be recognised on the big stage. The top goalscorer is set to receive E6 000 the Best Player of the Tournament will take home E9 000 and the Best Goalkeeper will get E5 000. Furthermore the Best Coach and the Best Public Relations Officer PRO will each receive E5 000, while the PLE has set aside E200 000 for administrative costs.
The excitement extends to the lower tier as well with the PLE announcing that the top two clubs from the National First Division NFD will contest the PLE Charity Cup NFD final competing for a E200 000 package. The NFD champions will walk away with E180 000, while the runners-up receive E80 000 provided the clubs accumulate a minimum of 10 000 votes to secure their NFD charity slot.
According to tournament PRO Themba ‘Mthimbawawa’ Xaba, the competition will kick off on September 27, 2026, where the playoff matches will take centre stage, with the voting exercise closing on next week Tuesday.
“We will then on October 4 host the semi-finals and then later in the day the finals will take place” Xaba said.
It is worth noting that the last edition in 2019 was won by Mbabane Highlanders after defeating Manzini Wanderers 3-1 in the final which was played at a fully packed Somhlolo National Stadium.
‘Inkunzi’emnyama’ PRO Thabiso ‘Touch’ Manyatsi said as the last team which won the charity cup they urge supporters to vote and reach the 20 000 target as the players are eager to compete and defend the title.
“We are the defending champions of the charity regardless of the sponsors now as the time we won it, it was sponsored by the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunication Corporation” Manyatsi said.
He also stated that they will use the competition to gauge how ready the team is to compete effectively in the new season which gets underway today.
It is worth mentioning that by the time this report was compiled, Moneni Pirates were leading in the voting process with 4 983 votes. Highlanders were in second position with 2 688. NFD outfit Lozitha Spurs were placed on position three after accumulating 2 566 votes followed by another NFD side Nkwene Sundowns on 2 238 votes.
Nsingizini Hotspurs were on the fifth spot with 1 588 votes, while completing the top six was NFD outfit Viva Stumbo’s XI on 1 073 votes.
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