NO PAY FOR LOCALS AT MBOMBELA UTD

MBABANE – All is not well at Mbombela United.

While the team is still struggling to come to terms with the reported relegation from the GladAfrica Championships, to the ABC Motsepe amatuer league, players have not been paid their August salaries. 

A source close to the matter said the club Chairman, Oupa Matsebula, was yet to meet the team after the season ended a fortnight ago. Mbombela United ended the 2019/20 GladAfrica Championship campaign in 14th position with 32 points, clear of nearest rivals TS Sporting on goal difference, but were relegated from the division after being docked 23 points by the South African Football Association (SAFA) Arbitration and the PSL Disciplinary.

Boasts

Mbombela United boasts of five local players in Captain Felix Badenhorst, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Justice Figuareido. The technical bench comprises Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina and Siyabonga Bhembe.

“The players have been waiting for their salaries to come through in the past week but they have received nothing until now. They were hopeful that they were going to meet with the chairman after the season ended and having survived relegation before the TS Sporting case,” said the source.

Mbombela United were found guilty by the South Africa Football Association (SAFA) Arbitration for the alleged improper registration of former Mbabane Swallows striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa whom TS Sporting claimed was their player when he played for Mbombela United. Another source said the salaries were delayed by the fact the Premier Soccer League (PSL) has not released the monthly allowance of about E400 000 after the one month camp in Gauteng where the league was completed.

Mbombela players earn salaries  of between E20 0000 to E25 000.

“There is a lot that is ongoing in the club and the PSL. I believe they will be paid once the team knows its position in the current situation that includes the relegation battle,” said the source.

Mbombela United coach Duran Francis told kick-off.com that he and his players were waiting to hear from Matsebula as to what the way forward will be.

“Once the owner knows everything and has dealt with it he will inform everybody. 

“So, now, he’s dealing with it and once he knows he’ll let everybody know. 

“I have got no idea about a pending appeal. 

“Whatever I know is the stuff I’ve seen in the media, so we’re not sure what’s going to happen. 

“It’s very up in the air for everybody,” he said.

Refused

One player reached for comment refused to comment on the matter and said it was administrative. 

The PSL log already indicates that Mbombela United have been relegated as they have docked the 23 points. 

They are now at the bottom of the table with nine points while relegated Royal Eagles are second from the bottom with 23 points.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: