By Ntokozo Magongo
IT’S all good news for the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) as far as the Trade Fair Cup is concerned. The PLE is now guaranteed of minimum of E3 million to be played for in the 2024 Trade Fair Cup after Minister of Commerce Trade and Industry Manqoba Khumalo pledged that he will seek a sponsor to support the tournament.
He said it was not good for the Eswatini International Trade Fair (EITF) to be without football as it has been happening in the past decade. The PLE sponsored this year’s edition to the tune of E1 million after failing to secure a sponsor. “I will make sure that the PLE secures sponsorship for at least E3 million to be played for by the teams. We are happy with the return of the tournament after many years or over a decade absent,” he said.
The PLE was also awarded a certificate for being a partner and a sponsor during this year’s edition. Green Mamba was crowned champions of the tournament on Sunday after humiliating Mbabane Swallows 6-0 in the finals watched by over 2,000 fans. They walked away with E300 000, gold medals and a trophy while the runner-up – up, Mbabane Swallows got E150 000 and silver medals.
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Third-placed Young Buffaloes who beat Madlenya FC 2-0 took home E50 000 for winning the third-place playoff final. The PLE organised the tournament in the eleventh hour after the Minister had stated that the football tournament would not be part of the activities at the Trade Fair due to lack of sponsors. PLE organised funds and came up with an E1 million sponsorship.
A total of 14 teams took part in the tournament and it was only those playing in the elite league. The tournament was played as a knockout for over seven days with Green Mamba reigning supreme in the end.
