MASHUMI HEADS TASK TEAM

(At Lugogo Sun)

EZULWINI – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) has tasked Mashumi Shongwe to look into the alleged unfairness brought by the armed forces teams in local football.

Shongwe, who was vying for the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) presidential post in 2017, is expected to bring back answers before June 30. The resolution was taken during the PLE’s two-day retreat held at Lugogo Sun between Friday and yesterday. The committee includes the three security forces, being Green Mamba, Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes representatives’ as well as Vovovo Director Sipho ‘Tsetla’ Bhembe, Matsapha United Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo and Ellian Masuku.

PLE Chairman Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula said the three armed forces teams were under the professional category while the others were regarded as semi-professional and that gives them advantage over the other football sides. He said the committee would have to look into how the ground can be levelled and they were expecting reports before June 30.

echoed

His words were echoed by PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Simanga Nhleko who explained that among other issues to be dealt was the transfer of players. He said there was an outcry from other teams over the armed forces when it came to the transfer of players.

“The teams have claimed that the armed forces were enjoying an unfair advantage as they are professional and there is this issue of coaches and players who are not able to play against them, as they are employed there. It is now upon the committee to come up with their findings,” he said.

Nhleko said the armed forces teams denied that they were forcing players and coaches out when they have to play against them.
The committee Chairman, Mashumi Shongwe, confirmed the appointment and said they would soon get down to business.
“It was raised that the security teams were having an advantage over the rest, especially because they do utilise government facilities. We will also be looking into the issue of players’ transfers,” he said.

Meanwhile, the committee has also been tasked to research if it was possible to also increase the National First Division League teams to 14.
Nhleko said the committee would do its research on the feasibility of the proposal. There are currently 12 teams in the country’s football second-tier. “The increase was proposed during the retreat and it is something we the committee will work on,” Shongwe said.

Premier League teams, on the other hand, were increased to 14 two seasons ago following the introduction of provisional play-offs.

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