By Sifiso Nhlabatsi
MBABANE – The fourth edition of the Cardo Charity Cup has returned with expanded youth empowerment drive.
The tournament will kick off on July 5, with organisers promising a bigger tournament aimed at promoting youth development, community health and economic opportunities through football.
The tournament, organised by the Cardo Foundation, will run until September 20 at the Zakhele Community Sports Ground. It will feature community football clubs competing in a group-stage and knockout format, with a total of 52 matches scheduled over 12 weeks.
Beyond the football action, each match day will be transformed into a community festival, featuring local vendor markets, youth talent shows, health awareness campaigns and family entertainment. Sundays will mainly be reserved for league matches to preserve the competitive nature of the tournament.
Cardo Foundation representative Sipho Makhanya said the tournament had evolved into more than just a football competition, describing it as a platform that brings together businesses, government departments, non-governmental organisations and residents to address community challenges.
He said the initiative sought to provide structured sports development for local clubs while empowering young people through leadership, discipline and active participation. It also aims to improve access to health information through wellness campaigns and screenings, while creating income-generating opportunities for small businesses and informal traders.
Since its launch in 2023, the Cardo Charity Cup has steadily grown in popularity. The inaugural edition attracted between 1,000 and 1,500 spectators and participants, with organisers saying community support has continued to increase each year.
Makhanya said the 2026 edition had expanded to accommodate more teams and offer greater opportunities for partners to engage with communities.
Despite its success, he acknowledged that organising the tournament remained challenging due to the costs associated with logistics, staffing, security and medical services. He noted that the Cardo Foundation had financed the event from its own resources over the past three years.
He appealed to corporate sponsors, financial institutions, government ministries and civil society organisations to support the initiative, saying partnerships would help sustain and expand its community impact.
According to Makhanya, sponsors would benefit from continuous visibility throughout the tournament, direct engagement with communities and the opportunity to contribute to measurable social development initiatives.
Looking ahead, the Foundation also plans to broaden the event by introducing additional sporting codes, including a marathon featuring 5km, 10km and 21km races, as well as ladies’ football, netball and boxing.
The tournament is held under the guidance of the Manzini Region Football Association and operates independently of the Premier League of Eswatini calendar, concluding before the start of the new football season.
Makhanya said the Foundation remained committed to using sport as a vehicle for improving public health, creating economic opportunities and empowering Eswatini’s youth.
Cardo Foundation knockout tournament 2026 draw
GROUP A
- Sidzakeni
- Ludwala
- Good News
- Police Camp
- God’s Property
GROUP B
- Ticancweni
- Zakhele
- Oppopo
- Hawks
- Remind
GROUP C
- Khoza
- Spaza
- Mhobodleni
- Masekweni
- Twosticks
GROUP D
- Skom
- Suburbs
- Old Black
- Moneni
- Dream Team
