MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders want to face rivals Mbabane Swallows in the PLE Charity Cup play-offs to settle the Mbabane bragging rights.
The top six elite teams have been confirmed for the tournament, which is scheduled for Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday, with entrance set at E50. Moneni Pirates and Nsingizini Hotspurs have qualified directly for the semi-finals, while Mbabane Swallows, Mbabane Highlanders AM, Green Mamba and Ubombo Sugar will battle in the knockout play-offs on Sunday for the remaining two semi-final places.
The Premier League Charity Cup final will be played on November 8. In the National First Division (NFD), Nkwene Sundowns and Lozitha Spurs will contest the second-tier Charity Cup final on the same date.
Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Thabiso ‘Touch’ Manyatsi said the club was eager to participate in the competition, despite having to go through the play-offs. “The Charity Cup is a tournament we want to play in. It is unfortunate that we have to play play-offs before the finals, but it is not a train smash,” Manyatsi said.
Asked which team they would prefer to face, Manyatsi said they wanted their neighbours, Swallows. “This is one game where any player does not need motivation or much preparation from the coach. Mentally, the players would want to win the Mbabane bragging rights. A derby win into the semi-finals will be sweet,” he said. “I want to play them again and beat them 4-0 like in the 8Bet semi-finals.”
Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows’ PRO Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya said the club would welcome any opponent and were confident in the players’ ability to progress.
“I will accept any fixture and we will see after 90 minutes. I have confidence in the players,” he said. The Swallows PRO also thanked the club’s supporters for voting and helping the team secure a place among the top six.
PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Vilakati said the draw would be conducted today, although he did not confirm the time or venue.
Vilakati explained that the league still had administrative matters to discuss with the participating teams before conducting the draw. The voting campaign generated E226 446 from 75 482 votes by Monday, October 26, 2026, with each vote costing E3.
Moneni Pirates were the only Premier League club to surpass the 20 000-vote mark, collecting 20 126 votes worth E60 378. Nsingizini Hotspurs followed with 13 936 votes, generating E41 808.
Mbabane Highlanders AM accumulated 5 992 votes worth E17 976, while Green Mamba received 5 113 votes, generating E15 339. Ubombo Sugar collected 3 207 votes worth E9 621, and Swallows had 3 159 votes worth E9 477.
The voting deadline was initially set for September 22, 2026, but was later extended to October 26. The Charity Cup returns after its last staging in 2019, when Highlanders defeated Manzini Wanderers 3-1 in the final at Somhlolo National Stadium. Highlanders are the defending champions entering the tournament’s return.
The competition was launched this year, with the PLE announcing a package worth E1.5 million. The tournament offers clubs an opportunity to compete for prize money while engaging supporters through the voting process.
