PLS BANS ‘BIG 3’ FROM MANZINI CLUB

MBABANE – Four top elite league clubs will never play an official game at the newly-opened Manzini Club Stadium.

This is the quartet of Mbabane Highlanders, Moneni Pirates, Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers. They have been bared by the Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) from either hosting opponents at this venue or being hosted by any other team.

The PLS Chief Executive Officer (CEO), John Mazibuko, confirmed that the four teams cannot play an official game at the venue until the stadium meets certain requirements, which will be determined by the organisation.

“It must be clear from the onset though that as an organisation, we are fully behind Manzini Sundowns’ move to have their own stadium. In fact, this is what we advocate. However, for security reasons the PLS felt that the four clubs cannot play at the Manzini Club Stadium, at least for now, until the stadium meets certain requirements.

“There is no secret about this directive. It was taken purely based on security issues. At the moment, we feel it would be a security risk. We all know that Moneni Pirates have a huge following, for instance, in Manzini. For the big three teams, which are Swallows, Highlanders and Wanderers, they always have a huge support base in their games and that is why they cannot be in a position to host or be hosted at the Manzini Club for now,” Mazibuko said. Sundowns PRO Muzi Matsenjwa also confirmed that they cannot host or lease the venue to the four teams.

Matsenjwa said they were ready to adhere to the PLS’s instruction on the matter despite the fact that the venue is more or less the same size as the Prince of Wales Ground in the capital city. “We have no qualms with the PLS’s stance. We are happy as a team though that we will still be in a position to host certain teams at the venue,” he said.

He disclosed that they made close to E5 000 when they hosted a game for the first time at the venue last Saturday. This was when Sundowns played against Red Lions. “Over 150 people paid, another 150 comprising players, Under13s, dignitaries, team officials, Sundowns staff and academy players gained free entry. We are grateful to everyone who attended our big day. From a layman’s point, the venue can accommodate over 2 000 soccer lovers,” he noted.  

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