Eswatini National First Division

Last updated
National First Division
Organising body Eswatini Football Association
Country Eswatini
Confederation CAF
Number of clubs14
Level on pyramid2
Promotion to Premier League of Eswatini
Relegation to Regional Super Leagues
Domestic cup(s) 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.

Contents

Organization

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 two performers in the top flight are automatically relegated. The third and fourth best clubs in the First Division compete in a play-off against the third and fourth lowest performers of the Premier League to determine who will compete in the first and second tier leagues the following season. [1] This format was expanded when the Premier League increased to sixteen teams prior to the 2025–26 season. [2] Prior to a October 2021 rule amendment, there were no play-offs and the top and bottom two clubs were automatically promoted/relegated only. [3]

As of the 2024/2025 season, the four lowest-ranked teams in the league are automatically relegated to their Regional Super Leagues while the champion of each Super League joins the National First Division the following season. [4]

Sponsorship

As of the 2024/2025 season, the league is sponsored by the MTN Group which also sponsors the Premier League. [5] As of 2024, the league winners after the first round earn a prize of E50 000. [6] 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. [7]

List of winners

SeasonChampionsRef.
2024/2025 Malanti Chiefs [5]

References

  1. ↑ Fakudze, Machawe. "UNCERTAINTY OVER 16-TEAM LEAGUE NEXT YEAR". Times of Eswatini. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  2. ↑ Dlamini, Siphiwo. "EFA Expands League, Playoffs to Decide Promotion Sports". Eswatini Positive News. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "Relegation confusion could throw Eswatini season into chaos". Far Post. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  4. ↑ Gamedze, Simanga. "Three NFD Teams Relegated to Regional Leagues". The Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  5. 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.
  6. ↑ Hlophe, Nimrod. "PLE EASES 1ST ROUND 'CARROT' WINNERS ANXIETY". Times of Eswatini. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
  7. ↑ Dlamini, Chris. "New Sponsor to Increase First Division Champs' E180k Prize". Eswatini Daily News. Retrieved 10 June 2025.
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