70% HIGHLANDERS PLAYERS’ CONTRACTS EXPIRING SOON

MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders Director Ally Kgomongwe has a tough decision to make next season as 70 per cent of his players’ contracts are approaching their expiry date.

During a media briefing held at Mbabane Highlanders’ clubhouse a fortnight ago, Kgomongwe disclosed that he would personally handle signings and dismissal of players come next season. Unlike the two members of the big three teams, Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers, Highlanders is not a registered company and according to Kgomongwe, this made it hard for him to source sponsors regardless of his acquaintance with multi-million companies in South Africa. Kgomongwe said the signing of players was quite expensive since he runs the team from his own pockets. He further acknowledged having spent an undisclosed amount of money in the signing of expensive players locally such as Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and South Africa’s Siphamandla Mlilo among others.

consultation

In this regard, Kgomongwe said the decision on which players to keep or release would be finalised after consultation with the technical advisors. Kgomongwe further labelled Highlanders as the most decorated team with highly paid quality players who are well catered for. “It’s not like I am complaining but I am running the team from my pockets. I can’t say how much I have spent in signing and running the team because of ethical reasons. My players love their team and their director but tough decisions will be made. It’s not like they will all leave,” said Kgomongwe. Kgomongwe further said the only breakthrough that would help Highlanders to secure sponsors and relieve him of the team’s high expenditure would be to register as a company. “The solution would be for Highlanders to register as a company and that will make it easy for me to get sponsors. I once approached a mining company in South Africa but my request was dismissed since we are not a company. We will meet with Highlanders’ patrons to discuss this matter soon,” said Kgomongwe. Kgomongwe further said his major concern was the sustainability of the team to ensure the growth of the players, their performance and a productive technical bench.

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