WESLIANS/BULL BRIEFING WRONG - POLYCARP

MBABANE – The debate continues.

Former Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Board of Governors (BoGs) member, Polycarp Dlamini, has punched holes in the joint press conference called by Mbabane Highlanders and Manzini Wanderers recently at the Happy Valley Hotel. 

It was in the same function where Highlanders Managing Director (MD) Chief Ally Kgomongwe announced that he has identified two directors (male and female) who have agreed in principle to take over the Hub giants. 

The Pretoria-based businessman further announced in the same function that he would assist Wanderers in the form of a loan to ease their financial challenges. This, however, did not go down well with a section of the local football fraternity as some felt it was against FIFA Statutes. 

Speaking to this publication yesterday, Dlamini, who is former Midas Mbabane City Director, observed that the decision to call this meeting was what sparked the controversy. 

Controversy

“In my view, the joint press conference was not necessary because Ally should have just assisted Wanderers without involving the media. His offer to assist Wanderers is not what is causing the present controversy, but the joint press conference which is sending a wrong message to the supporters of both teams. This is not doing the reputation of the PLE any good,” Dlamini said.

The former Sihlangu manager warned that it was time football administrators respect football especially the integrity of the game.

“It is not a problem for teams to help each other because this is what FIFA promotes, but we must also respect that football is guided by laws. This issue has tarnished the image of the local game and it is important that such statutes are respected. 

“Don’t call a press conference when you want to assist each other but do it with maturity. I fostered good relationships with a number of teams during my time at Midas City because this is what football should be all about,” Dlamini said.

He also advised the BoGs to desist from the habit of addressing issues affecting the organisation in the media.

“The BoGs must always maintain the integrity of the organisation and this should start with avoiding to discuss issues in the media. There are laid down platforms in football where issues are discussed, not in the media. We have been reading a lot of negative stories about the PLE in the newspapers and this is destroying the image of the organisation,” he said. 

Respect

Dlamini stated that hard as it may be, but football people needed to respect the two football principals in Eswatini Football Association (EFA) President Adam ‘Bomber’ Mthethwa and PLE’ Chairman Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula. 

“These are leaders of football in the country at the moment and they must be respected. It is disappointing when you read even the executive committee commenting in the media about issues that can be addressed in other platforms. Let us grow up and stop tarnishing the name of the game we all love so much,” he appealed. 

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