MD's death robs SwaziBank

Matsebula whose relationship with football in the country dates back to 2004 when he masterminded the launch of the biggest ever national competition, the SwaziBank Cup and he was a member of the tourna-ment’s three member Board of Trustees.

The other two members are FA President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa and PLS Chairman Victor Gamedze. He was airlifted to South Africa early last month for treatment after falling sick.

His death has left both his colleagues at the tourna-ment’s Board of Trustees tongue-tied.

The man who is credited for orchestrating the massive restructuring of the indigenous financial institution has always hailed the annual national knockout competition as having pla-yed a key role in reviving the bank.

Last night National Football Association of Swaziland President (NFAS) Adam ‘Bo-mber’ Mthethwa was shocked by the news of Matsebula’s demise.

"I am just tongue-tied as I am just hearing everything from you. If it is true I can only send our condolences to his family and the bank. We have come a long way together in football through the SwaziBank Cup, but we hope to issue a detailed statement once we have been officially informed," he said.

Premier Lea-gue of Swazi-land (PLS) Cha-irman Victor Gamedze said he was too shocked to comment, and said the organisation would also issue an official statement once they have been properly notified.

"I beg not to say anything now as it is still fresh. Allow us to say something later once we have been informed," he said.

The deceased will always be remembered for having chosen to sponsor football at a time when sponsors were shying away from the sport following instability at the sport’s administration level.

In one of his many interviews with this publication, he mentioned how difficult it was for him to convince his superiors at the bank about sponsoring football then.

However, he tried his best to win them over and it was to be one of the best decisions the bank had ever taken.

"The idea was conceived and a new ‘baby’ was born (who says mid-wifery is for women only?) with the first tournament staged in 2004 with a sponsorship of E500 000."

And the irony is that reigning champions Green Mamba became the first winners of the competition winning 5-1 against Denver Sundowns now called Manzini Sundowns.

The past nine editions of the competition have thrilled the soul for many football supporters, to such an extent that the competition evolved into a national event attended by the highest authorities in the land.

In 2009, the entire royal household cascaded to Somhlolo National Stadium to join a record 18 000 crowd that witnessed Mbabane Highlanders beating their rivals Manzini Wanderers 2-1 in the final.

Since then, the tournament’s cup finals have been an important event in the country’s calendar.

His death came about three weeks before the commencement of the 10th edition of the competition whose kick-off was slated for the weekend of February 1.