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NSINGIZINI NAME CHANGE CONFUSION!

25/08/2022 08:36:00 Chris Dlamini

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MBABANE – The name Vovovo FC is going nowhere.

It stays on as one of the teams to ply their trade in the top fight when the domestic football season 2022/23 resumes next month. This is despite that Vovovo sold their elite status to Shiselweni side, Nsingizini Hotspurs. The latter were shocked to finish outside the promotion zone last season in the National First Division League, as they had been smooth sailing pacesetters until the last few matches when they started dropping points and eventually dropped from the summit and also lost out on the runners-up position that would have earned them elite status.

It had been expected that the PLE would announce the name change in its annual general meeting (AGM) but it was not to be, as Nsingizini had reportedly been addressed about the matter prior to the meeting. “They must write a letter to PLE and the PLE will on their behalf take the matter to the EFA for approval, but as is they were informed that the application was late and should come through the PLE. Furthermore, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) doesn’t want the status purchase and if it happens it must not be too obvious because now all teams are in their digital system as well as that of FIFA.

“In this case, teams for the upcoming season have already submitted and loaded into the CAF system and they don’t have Nsingizini in the elite league but in first division. This simply means they must apply for another name and it cannot change in the upcoming season as the system has already loaded the clubs. There is Vovovo in the elite league so Nsingizini will run as that while whoever buys their first division status will also not be able to change names,” claimed an impeccable source.

Constitution

The source said it was also tough now to just move from a lower league to a higher one because CAF has teams that are registered as companies so it may only work for Nsingizini to return with a new name like ‘Nsingizini FC’ and have all change of ownership documents in place. “The promotion and relegation Article in EFA’s Constitution was also cited and it says a team must gain promotion on the field of play,” explained the source who added that the Nsingizini matter was being handled by the EFA at the moment.

Nsingizini’s Communications and Marketing Director Mphikeleli Dlamini, asked to check with the team’s leadership as he had not received any update about the issue before he could respond to it. PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya said he was awaiting a correspondence from EFA in respect of the matter. “We are currently uncertain about what is happening as far as this matter is concerned, as there is nothing in our office,” said EFA Communications and Marketing Officer Muzi Radebe said. Meanwhile, the last status sale in the country’s top flight football was between Mhlume Peacemakers and Matsapha United and the name change did not happen immediately but Peacemakers had to wait all season. This was even before FIFA and CAF digitalised registration.