FORMER WANDERERS’ BELGIAN STAR TELLS IT ALL IN NEW BOOK

MBABANE – Former Manzini Wanderers attacking midfielder Ronnie Mintjens has published a book, ‘More than a Game’.

Mintjens who played for the hub giants in 1989 is currently based in Hong Kong where he works as a teacher. He is in the country on holiday. The Belgian is married to a Swazi woman, Bukisile Dlamini, daughter of retired referee and former Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zwelonke ‘Sport’ Dlamini.

In his book, Minjtens describes in detail the gory usage of muti or juju among the local teams and in the other clubs he played for after leaving the country in 1995 for Tanzania. Locally he played for Wanderers before quitting the maroon and white outfit in favour of black and white ensemble Mbabane Highlanders.

His transfer saga was, however, protracted, as Wanderers were clearly not ready to release him. It took the intervention of the National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) before he could secure his clearance from Wanderers.
Interviewed yesterday, Mintjens said his book, in a novel form, was inspired by true events in the countries he has travelled across the continent in his days as an active player and later a football coach.

“Interested people can find the book at amazon.com and locally it can be ordered online at Kalahari.com. Swazis can pick what they could think would be well for Swazi football,” said the former player and now coach.
In his heyday as a player, especially during his days at Wanderers where he played his best football, Mintjens played alongside players like the late John ‘Dikiza’ Ndzabandzaba, William ‘Touch’ Dlamini, former goalkeeper Ngangabani Dlamini and former tough tackling defender Jerry ‘Mbazo’ Gamedze to mention only a few.

In his book, he also highlights the ‘big double headers’ that used to be played at Somhlolo National Stadium in years gone by.
“That was unique. Where else in the world would you find all that particular country’s best four teams playing at the same venue at basically the same time? I think that was really good because you found a fixture pitting Manzini Wanderers against Denver Sundowns and Mbabane Highlanders against Mbabane Swallows.

“I remember very well that the stadium used to be filled to the rafters in those glorious afternoons. It does not happen anywhere else in the world and that was good for Swazi football,” he said.
“In 2003 I then moved to Qatar where I was appointed the national Under-17 squad head coach. I did that for three years before moving to Hong Kong where I am based currently. My job is teaching but I have been busy coaching the college team,” said Mintjens.

He disclosed that the country will always be closest to his heart and was never shy to speak about his football days in the kingdom. 
He remembers fondly players from opposition teams like the current Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Chairman, Victor Gamedze, former Moneni Pirates skilful midfielder Mandla ‘Toy’ Manzini, former Mbabane Swallows’ midfielder gaffer Mduduzi ’16V’ Mthethwa, former Mbabane Highlanders left footed striker Mwandile ‘Tito’ Mabuza and others.

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