MBABANE (07.09.2026): Relegated Manzini Wanderers, have bounced back to the MTN Premier League – but under a strange new name – Red Rhinos, and strange new red and golf colours.
The still unfamiliar scenario is just as confusing to the Weslians’ followers as it is to their managers.
Last week. gridlock marked their first outing in the Trade Fair Cup 2026. When they were called to play, no one was sure whether it was old Wanderers who were supposed to respond to play Green Mamba or the old Red Rhinos. As a result, neither side came out.
The match was subsequently rescheduled, and old Wanderers, now playing as Red Rhinos went on to be mauled by the Correctional Services side.
Unfortunately, Manzini Wanderers’ followers will need to get used to both the confusion and their strange new colours and also make peace with the fact that the jersey that carries their soul, will now be worn by Red Rhinos until 2027.
Red Rhinos is the gallant rural team from the backwaters of Sigcaweni on the border between the middle-veld and the lowveld and between Lubombo and Manzini. They are the team that fought and won a national elimination and promotion to the MTN Premier League. Perhaps believing they can repeat their feat and win promotion again, they agreed to forgo their new-won privilege and sold their prestigious new position to Manzini Wanderers.
Likewise, Wanderers will be in the Premier League only in the flesh. They will be wearing the Red Rhinos colours of, for the next nine months.
The new arrangement is a result of the Solomonic wisdom of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) after they were presented with the latest Manzini Wanderers stratagem to stay in the Premier League.
Wanderers who have been struggling for the past four years, were saved from relegation in 2024 by winning a series of protracted High Court battles. But it was too late for them to participate in the 2024 season, for which they still carry the cudgels against soccer administrators.
After a year in the cold, they returned to the Premier League with heavy legs in the 2025-2026 MTN League, and being too weak and out of shape, were easily bundled out of the MTN Premier League.
The swap deal with Red Rhinos means they can cling to Premier League status; and hopefully find their mojo and stay inside the top league by their own steam.
Wanderers and Red Rhinos presented their unusual arrangement to the Premier League management committee in August 2026, which in turn forwarded the request for determination by the EFA.
Announcing the EFA decision, PLE CEO Petros Vilakati said the PLE General Assembly of 22nd August 2026 confirmed the Red Rhinos Football Club promotion from the National First Division League to the Premier League. The General Assembly also confirmed the Manzini Wanderers Football Club relegation from the Premier League to the National First Division League.
In their decision, EFA approved the change of ownership, control and directorship in both Red Rhinos FC and Manzini Wanderers as authentic. ”This therefore dictates that each of the two football clubs will be campaigning at their respective leagues, i.e. Red Rhinos FC in the Premier League and Manzini Wanderers FC in the National First Division League, under new ownership and control, which must be accordingly reflected in the Club Licensing System.”
”On the other hand, on the same letters of the 21st August 2026, the two clubs have applied for changes of their names; with Red Rhinos FC, now in the Premier League, wishing to change to Wanderers FC; whilst Manzini Wanderers FC, now in the National First Division League, wishing to change to Sigcaweni Rhinos FC.”
“These applications for changes of names, in view of the naming of clubs in the FIFA Connect Platform and the Transfer Matching System, which are locked automatically on the opening of the First Window Registration period, are no longer practical until June 2027, with both digital platforms controlled at FIFA and CAF.”
EFA however also took an accommodative stance that enables both teams to continue playing with their old players but providing for the transfer of players according to prevailing contracts.
“EFA considered that in view of the change in ownership and control of the clubs, and depending on the agreements on the players; the players that are currently registered in either football club can be transferred across to the other football club or as desired within the normal FIFA Connect Platform, with the Players Registration Forms and Licenses accordingly adapted.”
Manzini Wanderers is one of the top five popular teams that represent the qualities that drive popular fan-based football of clubs with the kind of pulling power that fills stadiums. Despite their weak showing on the field of play, their renowned appetite for internal squabbling which contributes to the club’s weakness, Wanderers remain a fans favourite. In the current benchmark of most followed clubs, Wanderers’ supporters’ votes pushed their club into early leaders in the yet to be played EFA Charity Cup 2026. This Charity cup is the last title that Wanderers has won in recent history. And that was way back in 2005. They remain in the top 16 top voted clubs.
The team’s popularity is all the more remarkable considering that current heavy hitters and most decorated clubs such as the repeat winning police side, Royal Leopards and the muscular army team, Young Buffaloes who are regular league and Ngwenyama Cup winner lag far at the tail end of the Charity Cup race, with zero percent votes.
Jm/today/07.09.2026