Big moment for Mbabane Highlanders.
The capital city giants will take on Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs on Friday, August 21, 2026, at the Amakhosi fortress in Naturena.
The two teams last faced each other in 2000 during the CAF Cup, now known as the CAF Confederation Cup. 
The match will be played behind closed doors.
Football is the most followed sport in Eswatini with being Mbabane Highlanders one of the country’s biggest and oldest clubs with 12 league titles.
Pre-season games against South African giants like Chiefs are used to test the squad ahead of domestic competitions.
A source close to the matter revealed that preparations for the match are at an advanced stage.
“Highlanders are already in Johannesburg and they will play Kaizer Chiefs on Friday.
The match has been facilitated by their head coach Floyd Mogale as part of their preparations for the new season,” the source said.
Highlanders PRO Thabiso Manyatsi said he was yet to be informed.
“I haven’t been informed about the match you are talking about by our technical bench who are handling our pre-season program,” he said.
The Black and Gold recently featured in the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup which included Nsingizini Hotspurs, AmaZulu and Ulundi FC.
Mogale joined the crowd-pullers last month after the exit of his countryman Selaotse ‘Sly’ Mosala to Moneni Pirates.
Highlanders will host their homecoming party on Saturday at Prince of Wales Ground, where club President Shauwn Mkhize is expected to unveil new signings and kits for the new season.
The team has retained its South African stars Siphiwe Cele, Nkosivumile Zulu, Simiso Gumede and Zwelihle Phewa.
Highlanders will open their new campaign against Ubombo Sugar in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.
