Manzini – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has shouldered venue expenses amounting to E32 000 for the 2025 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, easing financial strain on participating clubs.
The league booked the Eswatini Investment Promotion Authority-owned Mavuso Sports Centre, which charges E2 000 per match. With 16 fixtures played, including today’s third-place playoff and the final, the total bill reached E32 000.
Today’s schedule will see Ubombo Sugar clash with Manzini Sea Birds in the playoff for third place and a E90 000 prize. The main encounter will pit Green Mamba against Nsingizini Hotspurs, with the champions set to walk away with E630 000 while the runners-up secure E320 000. The tournament carries a total purse of E2.5 million, sponsored by local betting firm 8Bet.
PLE Chief Executive Officer Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati said it was standard procedure for the league to cover venue costs during tournaments. “The teams only pay for league games,” he said, noting he could not confirm the precise figure without office records.
The intervention comes after clubs pressed the PLE Executive Committee to negotiate reduced stadium rental fees. According to Chairman Polycarp Dlamini, high charges at private stadiums, the Eswatini Football Association’s technical centres and Mavuso Sports Centre have cut deeply into gate revenue, leaving clubs with little profit.
In last year’s campaign, the PLE managed to secure a small reduction in the percentage paid to EIPA for use of the venue. For the 8Bet Cup, however, clubs are not entitled to gate collections, as the tournament rules place all revenue under the league.
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