Controversy as More Violence Mars Football Matches in Eswatini

• It has been an embarrassing couple of months for the footballing fraternity in Eswatini
• Match officials in charge of the massive Mbabane derby had to flee from irate spectators
• This was just weeks after Eswatini's Premier League made headlines for a similar reason

It was a bad ending to 2022 as far as the image of the Premier League of Eswatini is concerned.

Violence erupted during the big derby match in the capital, between Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders.

According to Swazi Daily News, referee Thembinkosi Dlamini and assistants, Zamane Simelane and Gcina Mamba had to flee after irate Swallows fans bayed for their blood, following a 2-1 loss to their arch-rivals in the middle of December.

The article reported on the incident at the Mavuso Sports Centre as follows:

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Football

"Fans were enraged by a decision by first assistant referee Simelane for flagging for off-side on what looked like a legitimate goal headed by lanky striker Felix Badenhorst three minutes before full-time. The enraged like a Spanish bull Swallows fans stormed onto the pitch."

The match officials had to be escorted away by police, with the latter having to fight off their pursuers.

The frustrated Swallows supporters then turned their attention to their Highlanders rivals, which resulted in sporadic battles across the field.

Order was restored some 10 minutes later as the combatants finally cooled down.

Referee runs for his life

This was not the first time Highlanders supporters were brought into disrepute. A match referee was captured running for his life after angry fans stormed the pitch in a bid to beat him up.

Mbongeni Shongwe nearly became a victim of 'mob justice', after Highlanders fans invaded the pitch 'to deal with him' for poor officiating at the same Mavuso Sports Centre in Manzini in November last year.

The ugly scenes erupted during a clash between the Sea Birds and Highlanders, as the latter’s fans ran onto the pitch and had Shongwe running for his life. He fled towards an awaiting group of police officials, who escorted him from the centre to safety.