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MTN LEAGUE FOR FESTIVE HOLIDAYS

09/12/2021 08:37:00 BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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MBABANE – With the festive season right around the corner, the MTN Premier League teams must brace themselves for football action.

While the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) had always toyed with this idea from when slain Chairman Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze was still at the helm of the organisation, the games were only played on New Year’s Day and after that, games would resume after the festive break. It has transpired that the PLE, following an Executive Committee meeting on Tuesday afternoon, decided that the MTN Premier League matches should continue even in the festive break.

The English Premier League (EPL) is renowned for hosting festive season fixtures from Boxing Day to New Year’s Day. However, the PLE wants same this time around, especially so they can wrap up the league early. It is anticipated that at least one of the major knockouts like the EswatiniBank Cup returns this season, so to accommodate it, games must finish early.

The PLE has previously given teams the break which will see many players engage in informal tournaments. However, there may not be so many of those with COVID-19 present, especially now in the fourth wave, as witnessed in the escalating positive cases in the country. It is understood the PLE wants the games to play on Boxing Day (December 26, 2021) and New Year’s Day (January 1, 2022).

Midweek games are also part of what has been considered for the league. “The PLE wants to recover the time they lost before the start of the season. The season kick-off was delayed by technicalities including the COVID-19 pandemic. If it all goes well, it will be a busy schedule as some of the games may be played even mid-week,” said an impeccable source.

Some of the games that may fall on the festive period include Malanti Chiefs against log leaders Mbabane Highlanders, Vovovo against Manzini Wanderers and Tambankulu Callies against Mbabane Swallows in Week Eight. For New Year’s, the likely clashes include Moneni Pirates against Royal Leopard, Rangers with Mbabane Swallows, Manzini Wanderers visiting Denver Sundowns and Mbabane Highlanders facing Tinyosi.

PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) Pat Vilakati was diplomatic in his response. “We are still consulting and discussing it with our stakeholders. If there’s anything to communicate we will do so with our stakeholders,” he said. The move has been met with excitement by some clubs that were called and asked about it as it has never happened before in Eswatini.

Manzini Wanderers Acting Chairman Mlungisi Ndzinisa said it was a good idea because people would be at home and they would have time to go and watch football. “We are ready to support PLE on this idea especially if it will assist all stakeholders involved. We need to generate revenue so games during the festive holidays are a great idea. There are a lot of people who will be on holidays and they can use the time to enjoy football and we will be ready to play,” he said.

Highlanders PRO Mandla Madonsela said they would be ready to play despite that some players would love to go and be with their families. “If the PLE sees it fit that we play, we will be ready,” he said. Denver Sundowns Communications Officer Thabiso Manyatsi said it would be better to continue playing especially because these days nobody knew what the future held as there was COVID-19. “As long as we are allowed to play there is no problem and we would be ready to honour our games. It is better to use this chance to play than not,” he said. Last season, the games were scheduled to be played during the festive period but due to the pandemic’s third wave which had high infections and deaths, sporting events were called off in the country.