’LANDERS CEO HEADS 16 TEAMS COMMITTEE

MBABANE – The Premier League 16 teams review committee is no longer a secret, following its revelation on Friday night.

This committee is the one which will look into the feasibility and viability of the 16-club league, which might serve some of the bottom-placed teams from relegation. The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) announced committee, as directed by the Board of governors (BoGs) to look into the issue. During the PLE Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) held last month, the BoGs resolved that the organisation should appoint a committee tasked with compiling a draft implementation plan, if viable, for the 16-team league in the top-flight division. According to a press statement released on Friday by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya, Mbabane Highlanders CEO Musa Masuku was appointed as the Chairperson of the six-member committee. Among its duties, the committee will advise on the financial, operational and other requirements for the successful organisation and management of the proposed league.

Report

The press statement also noted that the committee is expected to submit the amended report to the PLE Executive Committee (ExCo) on or before May 31, 2024. It is worth noting that the increase in clubs from 14 to 16 teams does not mean there will be no relegation of two clubs at the end of this season, which is left with a single fixture to wrap up. While the media was not allowed inside the meeting, it was reliably gathered through impeccable sources that the relegation of teams would go ahead, even if the teams were to be increased as early as next season.

Unpacking the proposal, a well-informed source said the first decision to be made was whether Eswatini should have a 16-team league or not. The next step is to look into its viability, sponsorship, benefits or advantages and value of the league, among other things. The last time the teams were increased several years ago, teams that were supposed to go down benefitted.

They were headlined by Mbabane Highlanders.  On another development, PLE ExCo and Tambankulu Callies Director Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba will lead the National First Division (NFD) League Review Committee. They are tasked with compiling the requirements for restructuring the lower division into an under-23 league beginning next season. They are expected to come up with a draft implementation plan and advise on financial and other requirements for its success. Similarly, their report is expected to be submitted to the ExCo before the end of the month.

It is worth mentioning that the PLE is expected to hold another extra ordinary General Assembly before the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The BoGs will once again discuss these reports and take final resolutions for adoption at the AGM, set to be held in two months’ time. The last committee announced was that of the Marketing-Season Tickets Committee chaired by Rangers and PLE ExCo Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo. It most   comprise of the  country’s big weights teams as some members  include Mbabane Swallows’ Governor Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, Manzini Wanderers’ Governor Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli and  Moneni Pirates  President Ousborne Nzima.  

“This committee’s duties and responsibilities is compiling a plan for the establishment and marketing of PLE Season Ticket. They will assess and advice on a plan on the financial, operational and other requirements for the PLE to successful implement it from the 2024/25 season and going forward,” reads part of the statement. They are expected to submit a report on the viability of this initiative on or before June 30. The season’s ticket project aims to provide Premier League clubs with E500 000 each per season while NFD teams will receive E300 000 each.

16 Clubs League Review Committee;
Chairman: Musa Masuku (Highlanders)
Members;
Melusi Dlamini (Lozitha)
Meshack Ntshalintshali (Leopard)
Sithembiso Mamba (Tamb. Callies)
Charles Matsebula (B. Swallows)
Derrick Shiba (Nsingizini)

U-23/NFD League Review Committee;
Chairperson;
Sithembiso Mamba
Members;
Charles Matsebula
Kenneth Makhanya
Desmond Manda

Season Ticket Committee
Chairperson: Sibusiso Nxumalo
Members;
Sandile Zwane
Bongani Mdluli
Osborne Nzima
Samkelo Motsa

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