NFD overhaul looms
MBABANE – Amid proposals for changes to the top-tier league, the National First Division (NFD) is reportedly set to undergo significant restructuring.
The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has confirmed the proposal that the Premier League may adopt a new 16-team format next season. If this proposal and request are implemented, they could place the lower division under restructuring, a source said.
“The question arises: What will happen to the NFD? Will teams be added or reduced? However, there’s also a proposal to convert it into a development league, possibly an Under-21 league. Once it’s the case, it will be able to attract funding from the Federation of International Football Associations,” the source said.
When asked if this was a viable idea, the source elaborated that the aim was to enhance the commercial value of the top league and make it more financially rewarding for teams. Instead of dividing sponsorship money for two leagues or among 28 teams, the focus would now be on these 16 teams, the source further said. Besides prize monies, there were also participation fees for teams for knockouts and the league.
Adjustments
“Besides the age limit, there will be some adjustments to make it different from the Premier League. The foreign quota for NFD will be slashed to three and only three senior players will be allowed per team,” the source revealed.
Recently, Parliament raised concern on foreign players and coaches who are now found in local leagues and said this was killing the country’s football.
The proposed model appears similar to South Africa’s iDiski Challenge, a development league that has produced talent that has graduated directly to the DStv Premiership. However, South Africa still maintains the NFD under the Motsepe Foundation.
In Botswana, the Football Association (BFA) before the kick-off of the current season enforced some very strict NFD policies.
“With regard to the National First Division, the new rules stipulate that ‘there shall be no player who plays at National First Division after the age of 32.’ It also prohibits players from the Premier League from ‘joining First Division League after the age of 30,” reads the part of the policy.
Of greater interest, the policy says First Division teams ‘shall field at least two Under -20 players and three Under-23 players at all matches, at a given time and for the entire game. Notably is that Botswana are ranked three places better than Eswatini, as they are placed 146th in the FIFA men’s rankings.