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5 TEAMS UNREGISTERED

02/11/2021 08:41:00 BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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MBABANE – There is still uncertainty with the MTN Premier League kick-off on Saturday.

Five of the country’s elite teams are struggling to secure the licence with the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) to be eligible to play when the season kicks off on Saturday. Club licensing is a requirement that is needed for all the the 16 premier league teams. There are 11 teams that have so far received their club licensing and are ready to play.

The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) is determined to kick off the seasons on Saturday, having already rescheduled the kick-off for the second time. Some of the clubs that have failed to register include one of the big three in Manzini Wanderers, Moneni Pirates, Vovovo, Milling Hot Spurs and Tambuti. The 2021/22 MTN Premier League rules and regulations made it clear on Article 15, that as a principle, all football teams of the Premier League must conform to the club licensing and Coach Licensing regulations requirements to participate in the seasons competitions.

Postponed

A source close to the matter said it was a blessing in disguise that the PLE postponed the season kick-off on Friday, after government announced the return of fans to stadiums on Thursday. The source said some games could have ended up not being played as some of the clubs were still not licensed and they were struggling to meet the criteria. Club licensing process is under the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and it is a requirement that is enforced by the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) and the international football mother body, FIFA.

The club licencing is a tool to ensure that clubs have the appropriate infrastructure, knowledge and application in respect of management. Some of the requirements include having youth teams, stadium (training facilities and venues to host games), fully fledged offices and audited financial statements for every year. PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati said EFA were the right candidates to comment on the matter as they are responsible for the teams’ registration. The registration was opened on September 13 and it closes on November 19. “If the teams fail to produce the club licensing certificate, they won’t be allowed to play as they will be breaking the rules and regulations,” said the source.

Complying

Some of complying teams, who were first to get the license, were the three security forces teams, Royal Leopard, Young Buffaloes and Green Mamba. EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi Radebe said the club licensing issue was confidential and he could only give details about it once they had received a report from the club licensing team. Denver Sundowns were reported to have registered yesterday. The Public Relations Officer (PRO), Thabiso Manyatsi, confirmed that they finally met the requirements and they were registered yesterday.

Manzini Wanderers Acting Chief Operations Officer (CEO) Mlungisi Ndzinisa said they were waiting for their licence after submitting all the requirements yesterday. He said the team would be ready to play when the games start on Saturday. “We have been struggling with meeting some of their requirements since the team was moving its offices and training facilities. We have now submitted everything and we are waiting for a response from EFA and we believe that we wills secure the club licensing licence before the league kick-off this week,” he said.