‘BIRDS’ OFFICIAL RECEIVED E350K’

EZULWINI – The truth has its way of coming out.

As the Mbombela United and TS Sporting saga unfolds in South Africa following the shocking verdict against the former, for playing an eligible Eswatini international player, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa. He was banned two years while his team got docked 23 points and relegated in the process to the third tier league. It all happened in their absentia as they were not represented when the South African Football Association (SAFA) Arbitration heard the case last Sunday night. The matter goes on as Mbombela are appealing.

It is an interview given by TS Sporting Chairman Thobela Slungu on South Africa’s 5fm radio station on Monday morning that revealed a lot. He made damning allegations about Ndzinisa’s transfer from his parent club, Mbabane Swallows, in the country. There was an issue last year ahead of the season start and as it progressed about the transfer fees of some of these players, including Ndzinisa, but it died a natural death. And now, TS Sporting or Abantu Bemthetho as they are also fondly known, the beneficiaries of Mbombela United’s downfall, have pointed fingers at a certain official for unfair dealing.

allegedly received

Slungu told 5fm that after Ndzinisa signed for them during the COSAFA Cup in Durban, they parted with E350 000 which was allegedly received by a Swallows official. Caught in the middle of the interview, Slungu explained that Swallows sold the player to them first before an official sold him to Mbombela United.

“We’re in possession of his contract. You can’t have two contracts in one season but next point is to actually check which contract comes first which is not that much of an issue, but obviously all the facts show that the contract between TS Sporting and the player is the contract that came first.

“The other team we’re fighting with signed him when they were actually aware he signed with TS Sporting and all the facts show that. Let alone that they are expected to be reasonably aware or they are expected to be aware.”

warned them

He went on to say that he warned them himself ‘and yet they continued to play’ Ndzinisa and even at the bio-bubble where they finished off the season, they used him. He further attested that he also went on to inform the other GladAfrica Championship teams through their directors as well as the league but there was no positive reaction.

“I warned them even before our first round game that should they play him, we’ll protest and we did that. I think the matter was first heard on September 21, 2019,” he claimed.

Slungu also told the radio host that as far as he knew, they were in the GladAfrica Championship as per the verdict by SAFA. Swallows Marketing and Communications Officer Mancoba Mabuza could not be immediately reached, He recently said they would not comment on allegations. Mbombela’s Chairman Oupa Matsebula refused to accept the verdict saying they would appeal it as they were not represented. 

doing the rounds

On another note, a Facebook post that is doing the rounds, believed to be from a Mbombela United supporter, mentions an official’s name. They blame the official for destroying the Matsebula name, Mbombela United, the lives of more than 40 people and their children and that includes the Eswatini internationals and coaches Siyabonga Bhembe and Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina. His post even states clearly that this has hugely dented any chance of Eswatini players making it into their club.

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