Times Of Swaziland: BIG 3 CAN’T HOST IN OPEN GROUNDS – PLE

BIG 3 CAN’T HOST IN OPEN GROUNDS – PLE
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Machawe Fakudze on 27/02/2023 08:06:00


MBABANE – There is confusion regarding the hosting of games in open grounds by
the ‘Big 3’ of Mbabane Swallows, Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Highlanders.
This came after the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) denied Mbabane Swallows to
use the Prince of Wales Sports Ground as their alternative home ground since
both the Somhlolo National Stadium and Mavuso Sports Centre wee out of bounds.
The Somhlolo National Stadium which is currently being refurbished and last
hosted the 2022 MoMo Cup finals in October last year. Mavuso is experiencing
electrical challenges as the main capable supplying electricity into the venue
is being replaced.
Speaking on national radio, the Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services
(EBIS 1) Sports Show which was hosted by Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo on
Friday, Mbabane Swallows General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane
revealed that the PLE denied them from using the Prince of Wales Sports Ground
for home games. He said the club wrote to the PLE requesting to play at the
Prince of Wales, but their request was declined.
“They said it was a risk for Mbabane Swallows to play in an open ground and I
don’t understand the reason behind this as we have played in open grounds such
as Mayaluka and many more,” Zwane said.Notably, Manzini Wanderers host at
Prince of Wales Ground of late. He went on to say that the PLE said there was a
rule that stipulated that the big three teams were not allowed to play at the
Prince of Wales, but wondered as to why when they got the permit to use the
venue. He also said the PLE should consider the team’s opponents’ capacity
of supporters before declining the request.
“A home game is where you get an advantage to prepare well as you are
competing and declining  me the right you are killing me in the competition,”
he said.
Zwane said last season they played in Nhlangano at King Sobhuza II Memorial
Stadium and last week they were there and even this week, which was a drain from
their pockets as well as those of the supporters. He further shed light to the
issue of Swallows training at Malkerns Club, where another elite league side,
Manzini Wanderers are setting up camp. He said in as much as they booked to use
the facility, they respected that Wanderers used the facility too. “We
requested to use the facility in the morning as Wanderers use it in the
afternoon. We are having a challenge at our training ground at Ezulwini as it is
waterlogged from the rains,” the former national team Sihlangu Manager said.
He finally said they also used the Mhlambanyatsi Sports Ground for training;
however it was currently out of bounds for them.