MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows could face a fine exceeding E65 000 after the club was implicated in incidents that marred Saturday’s MTN Premier League opening match against Ubombo Sugar at Mayaluka Stadium.
The ‘Birds’ suffered a 1-0 defeat after referee Njabulo Siphepho awarded a stoppage-time penalty, which decided the match. However, the game was followed by ugly scenes involving match officials, Swallows officials and supporters.
According to information gathered by the Times Sports Desk, match officials’ reports were submitted to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) yesterday. The reports allegedly implicate Swallows in the incidents that followed the final whistle.
A source close to the incident alleged that a Swallows official assaulted assistant referee Mlondi Silhongonyane in the face during the ensuing disorder, leaving him bleeding.
The alleged assault reportedly occurred along the touchline on the side where Silhongonyane had been officiating.
The source claimed that police officers had to regroup to protect the match officials after the situation escalated. By the time police intervened, Silhongonyane had allegedly already been assaulted.
The situation became more tense after the final whistle, with Swallows supporters reportedly entering the field of play and attempting to move towards the match officials.
Police officers, together with some Swallows officials, were forced to form a protective barrier around the officials to prevent the supporters from reaching them.
The source further alleged that the official accused of assaulting Silhongonyane came from the opposite side of the field, near the touchline where the assistant referee had been stationed.
The incidents occurred after a match that had remained goalless until the fifth minute of stoppage time, when Siphapho awarded Ubombo Sugar a penalty.
Mpendulo Ndwandwe converted the spot-kick to hand Ubombo Sugar a dramatic 1-0 victory over Swallows on the opening day of the 2026/27 MTN Premier League season.
The matter is now expected to be handled through the relevant PLE disciplinary processes following the submission of the match officials’ reports.
Discussion about this post