IT’S TIME TO PUT YOUR HOUSE IN ORDER NKUNZ’EMNYAMA

Sir,

Mbabane Highlanders, arguably one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the history of local football, is faced with daunting challenges in its quest to rekindle the glory of yesteryears. Never mind that the once Mighty Bull was relegated to the National First Division last season. The team is now back in the elite league and is yet to start their 2014/15 season campaign.

Of course, as an ardent football fan I have been following the events as they unfold at the Highlanders family and I am worried. I have good reason to worry when big clubs like Highlanders trudge on a route towards ruin. As much as we appreciate the effort made by the directors and management in restoring the pride and image of the team, it is imperative to discard the shenanigans that are threatening to bring operations to disrepute in the team.

For starters, let me enlighten you about my concern which has obviously driven me to write this letter. Just when we were celebrating the return of the ‘Black Bull’ in the Premier League daggers are already drawn for team boss, Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane and so serious is the situation that a section of the team’s supporters went out of their way to question his contract, obviously calling for his head. This happened just as we were trying to come to terms with the circumstances surrounding the departure of South African businessman, Ally Kgomongwe, who was set to join the team’s directorship.

As if that was not enough, the team hired Romerio Mariani as headcoach to replace Basil Petersen whose contract was not renewed albeit after winning the MTN National First Division League. However, the former had his services terminated before he could start the season, and of course, Petersen is back with the team. Worse still, the team’s former defender, Sifiso ‘Barnes’ Mkhulisi, who had been part of the technical bench, has quit to join forces with ambitious sugar belt side, RSSC United FC. It came as no surprise that the team failed to qualify for the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup for the second consecutive year.

These are some of the factors that have to be taken into account as I implore the Highlanders directors to put the house in order lest the team find itself in disarray. Get me right, my intention is not to water down the effort made by the team’s directors in bringing the team back to the elite league, but I’m just raising a pertinent issue that deserves the utmost attention. It is high time the team’s directors uprooted all the ugly scenes that might be detrimental to the performance of the team as they embark to restore the yesteryear spirit when the team was a dominant force in local football circles.

This is the time when the team needs to be united and work towards achieving one goal, and this can be accomplished with an extraordinary determination from everyone who swears by the black and white colours of the Mbabane giants. This is the time when an unrelenting support is needed from everyone who calls themselves a Highlander by heart.

This is the time when the Highlanders family need to bear in mind the value of the team in local football, and also consider the impact felt by the football fraternity when the team crumbled last season. And of course, this will help them appreciate that as much as we are not all supporters of the team, we are bound to feel the pinch when giants like Highlanders fail to deliver.

However, the glaring endeavours made by the team’s directors ever since the team was relegated can never go unnoticed and we really hope that the team is ready to fight for honours. And their intentions have already been made known as they recruited quality players to beef up the squad for the coming season.

Comfort Jele, HAWANE

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