Eswatini National First Division
| Organising body | Eswatini Football Association |
|---|---|
| Country | Eswatini |
| Confederation | CAF |
| Number of clubs | 16 |
| Level on pyramid | 2 |
| Promotion to | Premier League of Eswatini |
| Relegation to | Regional Super Leagues |
| Domestic cup | Ingwenyama Cup |
| Current champions | Malanti Chiefs |
| Website | Website |
The National First Division, also known as the MTN National First Division for sponsorship reasons, is the second-tier league of football in Eswatini, operating under the auspices of the Eswatini Football Association.
Organization
[edit]From the 2025–26 Premier League of Eswatini, the top two performing clubs in the National First Division earn automatic spots in the Premier League of Eswatini the following season while the bottom three performers in the top flight are automatically relegated. The third, fourth and fifth best clubs in the First Division compete in a play-off against the fourth lowest performers of the Premier League, with the top two competing in the following season's Premier League.[1][2] This format was expanded when the Premier League increased to sixteen teams prior to the 2025–26 season.[3] Prior to an October 2021 rule amendment, there were no play-offs and the top and bottom two clubs were automatically promoted/relegated only.[4]
Previously, the four lowest-ranked teams in the league were automatically relegated to their Regional Super Leagues while the champion of each Super League joined the National First Division the following season.[5][failed verification]
Sponsorship
[edit]Until the end of 2024/2025 season, the league was sponsored by the MTN Group which also sponsored the Premier League.[6] As of 2024, the league winners after the first round earn a prize of E50 000.[7] That year, it was announced that the league was searching for a new sponsor, or another joint-sponsor, so that the prize money could be increased after a public outcry over the existing amount of E180 000 for the season winners.[8]
From the 2025-26 season, MulaSport sponsored the league, committing E4.5 million over the following three years.[9]
List of winners
[edit]| Season | Champions | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2024/2025 | Malanti Chiefs | [6] |
References
[edit]- ↑ Owolabi, Adekunle (May 20, 2026). "PLE confirms relegation and promotion rules". Swazi24.com. Retrieved 2026-05-25.
- ↑ Fakudze, Machawe. "UNCERTAINTY OVER 16-TEAM LEAGUE NEXT YEAR". Times of Eswatini. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ Dlamini, Siphiwo. "EFA Expands League, Playoffs to Decide Promotion Sports". Eswatini Positive News. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ "Relegation confusion could throw Eswatini season into chaos". Far Post. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ Gamedze, Simanga. "Three NFD Teams Relegated to Regional Leagues". The Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- 1 2 "THE EFA CONGRATULATES NSINGIZINI HOTSPURS F.C. AND MALANTI CHIEFS F.C. FOR BEING THE MTN PREMIER LEAGUE AND NATIONAL FIRST DIVISION CHAMPIONS RESPECTIVELY". Eswatini Football Association. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ Hlophe, Nimrod. "PLE EASES 1ST ROUND 'CARROT' WINNERS ANXIETY". Times of Eswatini. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ Dlamini, Chris. "New Sponsor to Increase First Division Champs' E180k Prize". Eswatini Daily News. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
- ↑ "MulaSport Injects E4.5 Million to Revive Eswatini Football". Eswatini Observer. October 14, 2025. Retrieved 2025-12-19.
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