Eswatini Football Association

Mbabane Swallows FC is the current Champions of the MTN Premier League after winning all their league matches. Out of twenty two (22) league matches, they were able to win nineteen (19) and drew only three (3) matches. This resulted in the club accumulating a total of sixty points (60). They claimed the league with twenty three (23) points ahead of the runners up club which is Young Buffaloes FC. To be precise, it was a one horse race as Mbabane Swallows played their last match as champions.

This club was able to score a total of fifty eight (58) goals and conceded fifteen (15) goals. They scored the highest number of goals and conceded the least number of goals in the 2016/2017 MTN Premier League season. The top goal scorer for the past season was Mbabane Swallows prolific striker, Sabelo Ndzinisa with nineteen (19) goals. “This success was due to hard work and the support from the Mbabane Swallows family”, he said after being presented his awards. Their championship triumph equalled the 17-year-old record of their rival, Mbabane Highlanders FC who ended the 1999/2000 season unbeaten in the league that was then sponsored by Castle Lager.

The Coach of the Season who is Mbabane Swallows FC’s Head Coach, Thabo Vilakati attested this success to proper planning that they did as a team. “This success was achieved through proper planning and hard work from the pre-season up to date. As a team, we had an early pre-season than our competitors and we focused on one match at a time”, said Thabo Vilakati. Their mandate was to get maximum points per match of which that was achieved and the rest was history. “In the game of football, consistency is key, and that’s what made us to be pace setters from the first to the last matches of the league”, he added. The Head Coach also highlighted that; they kept on reminding the players about their mandate as a team in order for them to stay focus, and also their level of fitness was closely monitored throughout the season.

For such a record, Mbabane Swallows FC also received congratulatory remarks from the Minister of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs who said, “Mbabane Swallows FC has proven that they are miles ahead of their competitors in the league and finishing the campaign unbeaten is another milestone in their ever shining stars”.  The sponsors, MTN Swaziland also congratulate the crowned champions and also highlighted that they are very much happy with the partnership that they have with football as a brand.