FA E2.5M IN THE RED!

LOBAMBA – The cat is out of the bag in as far as national team Sihlangu players’ allowances are concerned.

With reports that they had been unpaid their allowances for the three international friendlies against Namibia, Seychelles and Kenya in last two months and the country’s Football Association President and Senator Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa also acknowledging it, it has been established that the latter had been waiting to receive an allocation of E2.5 million from government through the Ministry of Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs.

However, the wait took longer than expected by the FA, which led to the players’ allowances delayed until Mthethwa also followed the matter up with his office and had it handled by the Ministry. While Mthethwa did not say anything about figures, he told the players during their COSAFA Cup farewell bidding at Lobamba on Wednesday that the issue was sorted.
“For five or so years it’s never happened that the national team Sihlangu allowances are not paid timely. I was disturbed to read that the players were owed. I had to get up and follow the matter to check if there was anything wrong but it was just a delayed process, nothing sinister,” he said.

However, upon investigations by this author, the slightly over 20 players received around E4 000 to E4 600 each instead of an expected E7 300 as the amount owed was estimated to be just over E100 000. It includes training and game allowances among others things.

He said what stunned him most was that they have in last five or so years been financially supported by government through Minister Ngcamphalala’s ministry. Sihlangu gets an annual allocation from government which is currently at slightly over E8 million.

He also confirmed in a separate interview that it was believed that the matter was amicably sorted as it was two weeks ago when he addressed it. The players confirmed receiving only part of the allowances for the camps starting from the preparations of the 50/50 Celebrations friendly against Namibia and the Seychelles, as well as Kenya friendlies.

He also confirmed in a separate interview that it was believed that the matter was amicably sorted as it was two weeks ago when he addressed it. Mthethwa further gave accolades to Minister David ‘Cruiser’ Ngcamphalala for his support, in front of his representative in Acting Principal Secretary in the Ministry Nhlanhla Motsa at the NFAS’ Technical Centre.
“The FA is not to blame for the delayed pay of the allowances as the challenges were on our side. However, it has all been sorted and by Monday the money would have reached the FA,” Minister Ngcamphalala responded when called about it.

He said he met with other ministries and as government is supportive to Sihlangu, the matter was sorted along with the FA CEO Frederick Mngomezulu. He then wished Sihlangu luck in the tournament, saying it was possible to bring the COSAFA Cup home once Lesotho was beaten.

“They are not an easy country to play with of late as we saw their team against Swallows in CAF Champions League. But because of the preparations we had including the three international friendlies, we can do it,” he said.
He also encouraged all EmaSwati who can travel to Polokwane, South Africa to do so to cheer their brothers as they bid to win the tournament.

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