SOCCER – Football fans across the country will be treated to live action this weekend after it was confirmed that the highly anticipated Mbabane Derby between Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders will be broadcast live on Eswatini TV.
Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chief Executive Officer Petros Vilakati confirmed the development yesterday, describing it as part of a pilot project aimed at enhancing access to local football while prioritising safety at match venues.
He said even though they were yet to meet the host team, the 5 000 tickets number was a standard figure for safety. Vilakati revealed that only 5 000 tickets would be made available for the blockbuster encounter, citing safety considerations as the main reason behind the limited capacity. He explained that the league was cautious not to overcrowd stadiums, especially during high-risk fixtures such as derbies.
“We are not going to issue a high number of tickets for safety reasons. Five thousand is a standard number that allows us to manage the crowd effectively. We are also piloting the broadcasting of selected matches live, particularly the yellow Sunday fixtures, to ensure fans can still enjoy the game even if they are unable to attend,” he said.
The Mbabane Derby is traditionally one of the most attended and fiercely contested fixtures in the MTN Premier League of Eswatini, drawing massive interest from supporters of both sides and neutral fans alike.
Meanwhile, the Shiselweni Derby between log leaders Nsingizini Hotspurs and Rangers FC promises more than just football, as entertainment has been lined up for supporters. Local sensation Cy Ndukwenyama is set to perform, alongside other DJs, adding to the festive atmosphere expected at the venue.
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Supporters will also have something extra to compete for off the pitch, as prizes will be awarded to the best-dressed fans. The top supporter will walk away with E250, an initiative aimed at encouraging fan engagement and creativity.
This publication reported in yesterday’s edition that it would cost E50 to watch the two derby matches scheduled for the weekend, while other single-header league matches will be charged at E30.
In other league developments, the Premier League has announced a fixture amendment for Game 14 of the 2025/26 MTN Premier League season. The match between Sisonkhe FC and Green Mamba FC, originally scheduled for Saturday, has been moved to Sunday.
The encounter will now be played at KaLanga Technical Centre, with kick-off set for 3pm.
The league confirmed that all other matches in the same fixture round would proceed as originally planned.
