Premier League of Eswatini
| Founded | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Country | Eswatini |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of clubs | 14 teams (24/25) season |
| Level on pyramid | 1 |
| Relegation to | National First Division |
| Domestic cup(s) | Swazibank Cup, MoMo Cup, Ingwenyama Cup |
| International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
| Current champions | Nsingizini Hotspurs (2024–25) |
| Most championships | Mbabane Highlanders (13) |
| Website | www.pls.co.sz |
| Current: 2024–25 Premier League of Eswatini | |
The Premier League of Eswatini, also known as the MTN Premier League for sponsorship reasons, is the top division of the Eswatini Football Association. It was created in 1971. In 2014, the league adopted "Vision 2022" and planned to be a fully professional entity by 2022.[1] However, the COVID-19 pandemic in Eswatini impacted the 2019–20[2] and 2020–21 seasons.[3]
2024–25 MTN Premier League clubs
- Green Mamba
- Ezulwini United
- Manzini Sea Birds
- Mbabane Highlanders
- Mbabane Swallows
- Madlenya
- Moneni Pirates
- Rangers
- Royal Leopards
- Illovo
- Nsingizini Hotspurs
- Sidvwashini United
- Sisonkhe
- Young Buffaloes
Previous winners
- 1971 : Milling Hotspurs
- 1972 : Milling Hotspurs
- 1973 : not known
- 1974 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1976 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1977 : Juventus Kvaluseni (Mhlume)
- 1980 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1981 : Mhlume Peacemakers (Mhlume)
- 1982 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1983 : Manzini Wanderers
- 1984 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1985 : Manzini Wanderers
- 1986 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1987 : Manzini Wanderers
- 1988 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1989 : Denver Sundowns (Manzini)
- 1990 : Denver Sundowns (Manzini)
- 1991 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1992 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1993 : Mbabane Swallows
- 1994 : Eleven Men in Flight (Siteki)
- 1995 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1996 : Eleven Men in Flight (Siteki)
- 1997 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 1998 : no championship
- 1998–99 : Manzini Wanderers
- 1999–00 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 2000–01 : Mbabane Highlanders
- 2001–02 : Manzini Wanderers
- 2002–03 : Manzini Wanderers
- 2003–04 : Mhlambanyatsi Rovers
- 2004–05 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2005–06 : Royal Leopards
- 2006–07 : Royal Leopards
- 2007–08 : Royal Leopards
- 2008–09 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2009–10 : Young Buffaloes
- 2010–11 : Green Mamba
- 2011–12 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2012–13 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2013–14 : Royal Leopards
- 2014–15 : Royal Leopards
- 2015–16 : Royal Leopards
- 2016–17 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2017–18 : Mbabane Swallows
- 2018–19 : Green Mamba
- 2019–20 : Young Buffaloes
- 2020–21 : Royal Leopards[4]
- 2021–22 : Royal Leopards
- 2022–23 : Green Mamba
- 2023–24 : Mbabane Swallows[5]
- 2024–25 : Nsingizini Hotspurs[6]
Performance by club
| Club | City | Titles | Last title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mbabane Highlanders | Mbabane | 13 | 2000–01 |
| Royal Leopards | Matsapha | 8 | 2021-22 |
| Mbabane Swallows | Mbabane | 8 | 2023–24 |
| Manzini Wanderers | Manzini | 6 | 2002–03 |
| Green Mamba | Matsapha | 3 | 2022–23 |
| Manzini Sundowns (as Denver Sundowns) | Manzini | 2 | 1990 |
| Eleven Men in Flight | Siteki | 2 | 1996 |
| Milling Hotspurs | Manzini | 2 | 1972 |
| Young Buffaloes | Matsapha | 2 | 2019–20 |
| Juventus Kvaluseni | Mhlume | 1 | 1977 |
| Mhlume Peacemakers | Mhlume | 1 | 1981 |
| Mhlambanyatsi Rovers | Mhlambanyatsi | 1 | 2003–04 |
| Nsingizini Hotspurs | Hluti | 1 | 2024–25 |
Top goalscorers
| Season | Top scorer | Team | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000–01 | Fritz Junior Seilbea | Mbabane Swallows | 13 |
| 2002–03 | Patrick "Nkola" Mkhwanazi | Manzini Wanderers | 13 |
| 2003–04 | Salebona "Salas" Jele | Young Buffaloes | 11 |
| 2004–05 | Mzwandile "Zoo" Mamba | Mbabane Swallows | 12 |
| 2005–06 | Mzwandile "Zoo" Mamba Mduduzi "Aghahowa" Mdluli |
Royal Leopards Mbabane Highlanders |
11 |
| 2011–12 | Nhlanhla "Mshengu" Kunene | Malanti Chiefs | 17 |
| 2012–13 | Nhlanhla "Mshengu" Kunene | Malanti Chiefs | 14 |
| 2013–14 | Sandile Hlatshwako | Malanti Chiefs | 14 |
| 2021-22 | Sandile Gamedze | Young Buffaloes | 23 |
| 2022-23 | Felix Badenhorst | Mbabane Swallows | 20 |
| 2023-24 | Sabelo Ndzinisa[7] | Green Mamba | 20 |
References
- ^ "TEAMS EMBRACE PLS' VISION 2022". www.times.co.sz. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 2020-05-19.
- ^ "How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected Premier League matches?". www.premierleague.com. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ^ Richardson, James (2021-03-24). "Eswatini football news: Top two disivions cleared to return to training". The South African. Retrieved 2025-02-11.
- ^ "Swaziland (Eswatini) 2020/21". RSSSF. Retrieved 2021-09-08.
- ^ "Swaziland (Eswatini) 2023/24". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2024-07-05.
- ^ "Swaziland (Eswatini) 2024/25". www.rsssf.org. Retrieved 2025-06-02.
- ^ cfeditoren (2024-05-22). "SIKHALI GUARANTEED E12 000 TOP GOAL SCORER PRIZE MONEY". Eswatini. Retrieved 2025-02-05.