MBABANE - Since playing their final league game against Maliyaduma FC on May 17, 2025, Viva Stumbo XI are still waiting for their E37 000 prize money.
It has been exactly 329 days since the final whistle blew at the Manzini Club Sports Ground, marking the end of a historic season where the team finally clinched promotion after a decade in the Manzini Super League.
The delay is particularly frustrating for the club, as they recall receiving prize money just two games into the following season after a previous fifth-place finish. Now, despite having already completed 21 games in the MulaSport National First Division (NFD), the champion’s purse remains unpaid.
When reached for comment yesterday, Viva Stumbo XI Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Reagan Charles confirmed the club has still not received the funds. In a recent attempt to seek clarity, the club approached the Manzini Regional Football Association (MRFA) regarding the 2024/2025 season arrears. In a message seen by this publication, MRFA’s Muzi Mtsetfwa stated: “I will look into this and get back to you. But kindly use your official letterheads.”
Efforts by the Times SUNDAY sports desk to obtain further comments from Mtsetfwa and the MRFA Chairman, Vusie Hall, proved futile as they did not respond immediately to press enquiries. This publication sought to establish a definitive cut-off date for the disbursement to allow the club to plan for the future.
Furthermore, clarity was sought on whether there are any outstanding administrative requirements or bank verifications needed beyond the official letterhead request. The sports desk also aimed to uncover the true cause of the delay, specifically whether the hold-up stems from pending sponsorship reconciliations or internal administrative processing at the association level.
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CHAMPIONS’ CIRCLE: Viva Stumbo XI celebrate at the Manzini Club on May 17, 2025, after their final game against Maliyaduma FC. The victory secured their promotion to the National First Division after 10 seasons in the Super League. However, 329 days later, the club is still awaiting its E37 000 champion prize money. (Courtesy pic)