The turn of the year is traditionally a season of renewal, a period where resolutions are etched into the soul and the dead wood of the past is unceremoniously discarded.
In the context of Eswatini football, this ‘new year, new me’ philosophy should, in theory, manifest during the second and final registration window, which remains open until February 2, 2026. However, if the recent antics of the country’s ‘Big Three’ – Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers – are anything to go by, the ‘new’ year looks remarkably like a desperate rehash of a failing past.
There are 16 games remaining before the curtain falls on an enthralling season, but for the traditional powerhouses, the script is currently a tragedy. None of them currently reside within the top six. For Manzini Wanderers, the situation is even more dire; they sit rooted to the basement of the charts, seven points adrift of safety, staring into the abyss of relegation.
Nothing illustrates the current identity crisis of the ‘Big Three’ better than the unseemly scramble for the signature of veteran forward Phiwa Dlamini. Last week, reports emerged that both Highlanders and Swallows were tripping over themselves to sign the 34-year-old forward. This is a player who was deemed surplus to requirements by Young Buffaloes at the start of the season.
Dlamini, while undoubtedly a respected veteran, is match unfit and, by any objective sporting metric, fast approaching his ‘sell-by date.’
He had trained with both capital city rivals before eventually opting for the red side of Mbabane. The fact that the self-proclaimed ‘big guns’ of the kingdom are wrestling over another team’s rejects – rather than unearthing the next generation of Eswatini talent – is nothing short of an embarrassment.
It signals a terrifying lack of scouting, foresight and financial ambition. It was only last season that Nsingizini Hotspurs flexed their muscles by signing almost the entire core of Mbabane Swallows’ league-winning squad. That is the standard of a big club. When the ‘traditional’ giants are reduced to scavenging for cast-offs that the likes of Buffaloes no longer want, it raises serious doubts about their financial muscle and their ability to attract the best talent in the land.
Despite their current on-field woes, these three clubs still command the largest following in the country. Their cultural significance cannot be overstated. When the ‘Big Three’ are firing, stadiums are full, the atmosphere is electric and the commercial viability of the league skyrockets.
However, the current trajectory is a threat to the ecosystem of Eswatini football.
Eswatini football relies heavily on gate collections and sponsorship interest. A league where the most supported teams are languishing in the bottom half – or worse, facing relegation – is a league that struggles to attract corporate investment.
Historically, these clubs have been the feeders for Sihlangu Semnikati. If the standards at Swallows, Highlanders and Wanderers drop, the quality of the national team eventually follows suit.
Football is about narratives. The rivalry between the Mbabane giants and the passion of the ‘Weslians’ are the heartbeat of our local game. Their collapse would leave a void that newer, albeit well-funded, clubs might take decades to fill in terms of emotional resonance.
With the window closing on February 3, the ‘Big Three’ cannot afford any more blunders or sentimental signings. They need a cold, calculated approach to salvage their seasons. Instead of looking at the benches of their Premier League rivals, scouts should be permanently stationed at MulaSport National First Division (NFD) matches. There is a wealth of young, hungry and affordable talent in the second-tier. These players possess the ‘engine’ that 34-year-old veterans lack and would see a move to a ‘Big Three’ club as the pinnacle of their careers, ensuring they play for the badge with maximum intensity.
The era of intimidation is over; Swallows and Highlanders can no longer expect players to join them simply because of their names. They must offer competitive packages and a clear sporting project to lure the best performers from the mid-table teams. They should be looking for the league’s top assist-makers and most disciplined defenders, rather than players with ‘big names’ but empty tanks.
The current league is faster and more physical than ever before. Bringing in ‘unfit’ players mid-season is a recipe for disaster. The remaining 16 games will be a sprint, not a marathon. Any signing made between now and February 2 must be ready to hit the ground running.
For Wanderers, the strategy must be ‘survival at all costs’. They do not need ‘flair’ players; they need ‘fighters.’ Their recruitment should focus on rugged defenders and a prolific ‘poacher’ who can turn half-chances into goals. Seven points is a significant gap, but with 48 points still available, it is not insurmountable if they recruit with a ‘relegation battle’ mentality rather than a ‘big club’ ego.
If these clubs continue to settle for ‘rejects’, they are essentially voting for their own irrelevance. The scramble for Phiwa should be the last time we see such a lack of ambition. Eswatini football needs its giants to stand tall, not to crawl around looking for leftovers.
The clock is ticking. February 2 will determine whether these clubs move forward to pursue their dreams or remain anchored in a past that is slowly fading away.
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