MBABANE – With just hours before kick-off, the PLE Charity Cup has once again received a financial boost.
According to a press statement released by Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Brand and Marketing Manager Nqobile Simelane, MTN Eswatini has injected E100 000, taking the total sponsorship package to E1.675 million.
This follows Nedbank Eswatini’s sponsorship towards the Charity Cup after they pumped in E75 000 a week ago. This partnership was officially unveiled at Sigwaca House on Friday by Managing Director (MD) Fikile Nkosi.
It is worth mentioning that when the tournament was launched at The George Hotel, the PLE through Chairman Polycarp Dlamini announced a sponsorship value of E1.5 million from the organisation’s coffers.
anticipated onboarding
The press statement stated that the PLE is delighted to announce the anticipated onboarding of MTN Eswatini as a sponsor of the 2026 PLE Charity Cup, with a sponsorship commitment valued at E100 000.
“This investment is over and above MTN’s substantial E22.5 million sponsorship of the MTN Premier League. It reinforces MTN’s confidence in football as a platform for national connection, customer engagement and meaningful socio-economic impact,” reads part of the statement.
Simelane confirmed the latest development, and when asked where the money will be channelled, she said the funds will cover the prizes and event costs for the tournament.
prize money
“The prize money was completely funded by PLE as we didn’t have any sponsors when we launched the return of the cup, so any sponsorship that we acquire is directed towards prizes and the event costs,” she said.
Notably, individual awards such as Player of the Series which is E9 000, Top Scorer set at E6 000 and Best Goalkeeper at E5 000 add to the spice of this tournament. However, according to PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati, players will only be judged on statistics from today’s matches to be eligible for the awards.
The former PLE football manager disclosed that statistics recorded during the play-offs will not be considered for individual awards.
“These awards will consider performances from the semi-finals up. The play-offs served as a qualifier,” he said.
Prior to this, a E1.575 million pot had been assembled, with Nedbank adding the final flourish and Orchard Insurance also climbing aboard. When this tournament was launched, the PLE announced a lucrative E1.5 million sponsorship package towards the competition.
title sponsor
Nedbank is also the title sponsor of neighbouring South Africa’s premier knockout competition, the Nedbank Cup. After a preliminary round featuring eight games between teams from the National First Division and eight games from the SAFA Second Division, the 16 winners join the 16 teams from the Premiership to enter the main draw.
Today, the competition reaches its climax at Somhlolo National Stadium, the same stage that last saw capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders AM lift the trophy in 2019 under the Eswatini Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (EPTC) banner.
‘Inkunzi’emnyama’, who were under the leadership of South African businessman Chief Ally Kgomongwe, took home E1.1 million as champions.
This year’s edition carries a genuine twist. Four top-flight sides remain in Moneni Pirates and Nsingizini Hotspurs, the two highest-voted clubs who skipped the play-offs, plus Highlanders AM and surprise package Ubombo Sugar, who will play for the E400 000 champions’ prize.
drink from the trophy
Ubombo appear to taste the Charity Cup for the first time, while Highlanders were the last side to drink from the trophy. Adding extra spice is the MulaSport National First Division (NFD) final between Nkwene Sundowns and Lozitha Spurs, with E120 000 awaiting the winners and E80 000 the runners-up. For the first time, the Charity Cup weekend will feature both elite and second-tier clubs on the same stage.
The runners-up will receive E200 000, while the two losing semi-finalists will pocket E100 000 each. Teams who lost in the play-offs receive E50 000 each.
