Times Of Swaziland: 70% HIGHLANDERS PLAYERS’ CONTRACTS EXPIRING SOON

70% HIGHLANDERS PLAYERS’ CONTRACTS EXPIRING SOON
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BY PHOLSILE HLOPHE on 13/07/2021 08:23:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Highlanders Director Ally Kgomongwe has a tough decision to
make next season as 70 per cent of his players’ contracts are approaching
their expiry date.
During a media briefing held at Mbabane Highlanders’ clubhouse a fortnight
ago, Kgomongwe disclosed that he would personally handle signings and dismissal
of players come next season. Unlike the two members of the big three teams,
Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers, Highlanders is not a registered company
and according to Kgomongwe, this made it hard for him to source sponsors
regardless of his acquaintance with multi-million companies in South Africa.
Kgomongwe said the signing of players was quite expensive since he runs the team
from his own pockets. He further acknowledged having spent an undisclosed amount
of money in the signing of expensive players locally such as Sabelo
‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and South Africa’s Siphamandla Mlilo among others.
consultation
In this regard, Kgomongwe said the decision on which players to keep or release
would be finalised after consultation with the technical advisors. Kgomongwe
further labelled Highlanders as the most decorated team with highly paid quality
players who are well catered for. “It’s not like I am complaining but I am
running the team from my pockets. I can’t say how much I have spent in signing
and running the team because of ethical reasons. My players love their team and
their director but tough decisions will be made. It’s not like they will all
leave,” said Kgomongwe. Kgomongwe further said the only breakthrough that
would help Highlanders to secure sponsors and relieve him of the team’s high
expenditure would be to register as a company. “The solution would be for
Highlanders to register as a company and that will make it easy for me to get
sponsors. I once approached a mining company in South Africa but my request was
dismissed since we are not a company. We will meet with Highlanders’ patrons
to discuss this matter soon,” said Kgomongwe. Kgomongwe further said his major
concern was the sustainability of the team to ensure the growth of the players,
their performance and a productive technical bench.