PLAYERS’ TRANSFERS NEED ATTENTION

Sir,

Football teams the world over are busy on the market trying to get their targeted players to beef up their squads for the coming season. Surely interesting times are on the cards as teams make desperate attempts to lure the best players to their camps and no doubt surprises will be the order of the day.

As the movement of players takes centre stage, who would have thought that Ivory Coast seasoned striker Didier Drogba would return to the English Premiership? Who would have speculated that controversial Uruguayan Striker Luis Suarez would play in the La Liga? Who would have thought that Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas would leave the star-studded FC Barcelona?

These are some of the interesting episodes unfolding in the international football fraternity of late, which are not only drawing attention from the football fanatics but also giving sleepless nights to team managers.

Like many other footballing nations, this tiny Kingdom of ESwatini has its fair share of the interesting moments in the movement of players.
Capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders have acquired the services of South African born Malanti Chiefs industrious midfielder Vusumuzi Madinane in one of their best signings of the season. Reigning goal king Sandile Hlatshwako has returned to Mbabane Swallows in what would be a great replacement for Ghanaian striker Mike Mohammed who has since migrated to ABSA Premiership’s Maritzburg United.

Although we have to appreciate the interesting moments coming with players’ transfers it is imperative that we also avoid the controversies that have proven to be an embarrassing factor in the past years.
Oh yes, there are many controversies emanating from the transfer of players that have marred our football in the recent past and it is high time we curb this phenomenon lest the sport is brought to disrepute.

It does not need one to be a rocket scientist to deduce that improper registration of players is one of the major factors that continue to affect our football each passing year. After the issue of Bright ‘Maradona’ Zondo whose movement from Mbabane Highlanders to arch-rivals Mbabane Swallows was marred with a lot of controversy, we cannot afford to have other irregularities.

Indeed we live to tell the tale of how the transfer of Bheki ‘Maponyane’ Mazibuko from Sikhalo seAfrica to Swallows sparked some registration scandals thus compromising the future of the footballer. Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze and Sihle Ndaba also make the list of local footballers who found themselves at the centre of controversy in as far as their transfers are concerned.

As I write this we are yet to witness another episode in local football circles as Mbabane Swallows defender Manqoba Zwane reportedly appeared for Mbabane Highlanders despite that he has a running contract with the former, much to the astonishment of many football followers. Although Highlanders Boss, Bheki Simelane was quoted as being surprised that there was a Swallows player within their camp, it is of great importance to note that these are some of the factors that bring disrepute to our football. Such actions have to be condemned and all those found to be playing dirty tricks should be brought to book.  Even though I might not be privy with the merits of the case I can say boldly that players must respect their teams, and of course teams must respect their players.

In the same vein players must follow the right procedures when they want out of their teams and the same must be done by teams when a player has shown intentions of leaving. Charging exorbitant amounts in an attempt to prevent a player from leaving does not conform to FIFA’s fair play rule. And it is time local football authorities implemented a standard prize for local football players.

Comfort Jele, Hawane

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