‘WESLIANS’ RELEGATION FATE ON TUESDAY

MBABANE – The anxious wait will soon be over.

This is the story of the three MTN Premier League clubs that are involved in a relegation saga. Manzini Wanderers filed a protest before their game against Denver Sundowns. The relegation six-pointer match was won by Ikappa Kappa, beating the ‘Weslians’ 4-2. The result meant that both clubs were now MTN National First Division-bound as Moneni Pirates survived after playing to a 1-all draw against Ezulwini United.

The Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe-led side’s protest emanated after alleging that two Sundowns players in Skipper Jimoh
Wanderers, through Governor Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli, were quoted by our sister publication, The Times of Eswatini, having confirmed the protest by paying E5 000 and submitting supporting documents. The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Football Manager, Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati, speaking on national radio’s Sports Show programme, yesterday, said the maroon and white hub giants followed all the necessary procedures of the protest against the Musa Manyatsi-led side soon.

“Once all the reports are submitted to us, we will then take them to the Eswatini Football Association for a disciplinary hearing,” Vilakati said. The former PLE Chief Operations Officer (COO) disclosed that the matter would be heard on Tuesday or Thursday at Sigwaca House. Should the EFA Disciplinary Committee (DC) rule in favour of Wanderers, it will mean that Sundowns will lose the game as per the 2023/24 MTN Premier League Rules and Regulations Article 58.1.

This Article states that a club fielding a defaulter upon protest by the opposing team shall be fined not less than E20 000 and forfeit three points and the same number of goals to the opposing club. The players shall be suspended for all matches until eligible to play. Meanwhile, the ruling of the DC, if it goes to Wanderers way will greatly affect Moneni Pirates as the ‘sea Robbers’ will be relegated.

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