The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Charity Cup is set to make a thrilling return, with Mbabane Highlanders facing off against Mbabane Swallows in a highly anticipated derby. The match will take place at Mavuso Sports Centre on October 29, 2026, at 4:15 pm, following the curtain-raiser between Green Mamba and Ubombo Sugar. This blockbuster showdown promises to be an exciting encounter, with both teams eager to claim bragging rights and the top prize of E1 million.
Under the leadership of South African businesswoman Shauwn 'MaMkhize' Mkhize, Highlanders have been dominant in recent meetings against their rivals. They inflicted a humiliating 4-0 defeat on Swallows in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup pre-season tournament and edged them 1-0 in their last league meeting on May 17, 2026. MaMkhize's presence has brought a new level of excitement to the team, and they will be looking to continue their winning streak.
The PLE Charity Cup has received a significant boost with a lucrative E1.5 million sponsorship package secured in July. This partnership has paved the way for the tournament's return after a lengthy absence. The competition was last staged in 2019, with Highlanders being the last team to lift the trophy, defeating Manzini Wanderers 3-1 in the final at Somhlolo National Stadium.
A total of 32 PLE clubs were eligible to participate in the voting process, with the top six Premier League sides advancing to the tournament proper. However, 'Weslians' failed to qualify after collecting fewer than 200 votes. The play-offs are scheduled for November 1, with the semi-finals and final set for November 8. The dates were adjusted to accommodate FIFA fixtures involving the national youth squad.
In addition to the Premier League teams, the National First Division (NFD) will also feature in the tournament. The two highest-voted clubs will battle it out on finals day, with E200,000 allocated to the competition. Clubs were expected to secure at least 10,000 votes to qualify, with the winners standing to collect more than E100,000.
The PLE Charity Cup is not only about football, but also about giving back to the community. Proceeds from the tournament will go directly to non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and charitable bodies. This initiative is in line with the MoMo Cup, which adopted a similar voting format, with Nsingizini winning the competition back-to-back.
The return of the PLE Charity Cup is a significant boost to the football scene in Eswatini, with top teams competing for a cause beyond football. The tournament promises to deliver exciting matches, and the derby between Highlanders and Swallows is set to be a highlight of the competition. With the sponsorship package and voting format in place, the PLE Charity Cup is poised to become a premier event in the Eswatini football calendar.
Key points
- The PLE Charity Cup features a lucrative E1 million top prize for the elite league winners.
