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 DUMISANI NTIWANE on 20/10/2008 00:00:00


MBABANE – Mbabane High-landers could lose arguably their best signings in a
long time.
Mali striker, Cheick Bongounta Cisse, the man who scored the winner against XI
Men In Flight on Saturday in a Top Lotto/PLS Cup game, has threatened to walk
out of the ‘Bull’.
He is not alone.
DRC international midfielder Mbaya Katala Sam, the holding midfielder – seen
to be the perfect replacement for Mphile Tsabedze, has followed suit. They both
played key roles in the game against XI Men, which Highlanders needed to win at
all costs to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.
The players’ manager, Enerst Fakudze alleged yesterday in a press briefing at
the City Inn that since the players came here six weeks ago, they have still not
been paid their salaries. He also alleged that both players are yet to sign
contracts with the Mbabane giants.
"I have decided to take the players back with me to South Africa because
Highlanders do not appear to be serious at all. The players have no choice but
to go back because they also have families to look after back home.
"They are here as international players and should be taken care of. It’s a
pity because the Highlanders officials are now playing hide and seek with me.
Each of their officials is referring me to someone else," he alleged.
Both players refused to comment yesterday referring all questions to their
manager who was with them at the City Inn.
Highlanders’ PRO, Dumisani Sibandze said there was nothing strange with the
players’ manager’s visit, as they were ‘tying a few contractual
matters’.
"What I can say is that everyone is now happy. The players are happy with the
team, their manager is happy and at Mbabane Highlanders we are also happy. In
fact we even discussed future endeavours with the manager. So this was not an
issue," he said.