The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) is facing mounting pressure from National First Division (NFD) clubs following a controversial decision that will see some teams forced into play-offs for a place in the prestigious 2025/26 SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup.
Several NFD teams have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the move, describing it as unfair, exclusionary and a deliberate attempt to deny them participation in what they consider their only meaningful knockout competition of the season.
The uproar follows a circular issued by the PLE last week, outlining changes to the Ingwenyama Cup team composition. The directive states that while the Premier League consists of 32 teams, the inclusion of four regional representatives from the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup Regionals increases the total number of teams to 36, four more than the tournament’s official framework allows.
To resolve this, the PLE Executive Committee, which met on December 4, resolved that the bottom eight teams in the MulaSport National First Division standings as of January 5 would compete in a preliminary play-off round.
Four teams would be eliminated, while the remaining four would advance to join the other teams and four regional representatives in the main draw.
However, this decision has not gone down well with affected clubs.
Officials from several NFD teams, who requested anonymity in fear of victimisation, accused the PLE of making unilateral decisions without consultation and changing competition rules after the season had already begun.
“This is the only knockout tournament we have in the First Division and now we are being pushed out through the back door,” said one official.
“No one engaged us, no meeting was called and suddenly we are just furnished with a circular telling us our fate.”
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The teams further questioned why the burden of reducing numbers was placed on the second-tier clubs only instead of including the Premier League sides.
“Premier League teams already compete for trophies and prize money throughout the season,” another official added.
“Why should National First Division teams be the ones forced into play-offs just to earn a right we already had? The general feeling is that if play-offs were necessary, they should involve Premier League teams, not us.”
Adding to the frustration is the timing of the announcement. Team officials argue that altering the competition format after the commencement of league matches undermines sporting integrity and places unnecessary pressure on already resource-strained clubs.
“Announcing such a major change mid-season is simply not right. It disrupts planning, budgets and team morale. We are appealing for the rightful authorities to act on this matter with the urgency and fairness it deserves,” said one club administrator.
PLE Chief Executive Officer Petros ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati sounded surprised by the concerns, stating that his office had not received any formal complaints.
“Nothing official has reached my office. Teams are aware of the proper channels to follow when they have concerns,” he said.
