Times Of Swaziland: AFTER HEAVY RAIN IN MHLUME: MAMBA STAY 4 PTS CLEAR

AFTER HEAVY RAIN IN MHLUME: MAMBA STAY 4 PTS CLEAR
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Machawe Fakudze on 27/02/2023 08:09:00


MHLUME – The MTN Premier League match between Young Buffaloes and rookies
Nsingizini Hotspurs was called off due to persistent rains, which made the pitch
unplayable yesterday at Mhlume Stadium.
The game was called off 26 minutes into the match as the pitch was slippery and
waterlogged, making it difficult for both set of players to play. So terrible
were the conditions such that in the quarter-hour mark, Nsingizini Hotspurs were
forced to make a substitute. Enterprising forward in national team Under-20 star
Mayibongwe ‘Saurez’ Mabuza slipped and twisted his knee; his place was taken
by another Under-20 player in former Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows winger
Sinenkhosi ‘China’ Dlamini.
The teams failed to make meaningful attempts at goal, as moving the ball around
proved a challenge due to the drenched surface. The game had to be eventually
called off, much to the disappointment of the about 100 fans, who made the long
trip to Mhlume. Meanwhile, Buffaloes gaffer Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlamini thanked
the match Commissioner Sipho Kunene for calling off the game as players would
have been injured. His counterpart in Hotspurs mentor Gerald Phiri also shared
the same sentiments. The score was 0-0 when the game was called off.
According to Article 10:7 of the 2022/23 MTN Premier League Rules and
Regulations, should a match be abandoned by the referee due to an electricity
power failure in a match played under floodlights or due to force majeure, the
match will be replayed at a date, venue and time stipulated by the PLE. The gate
takings of the match shall be shared by the two clubs having deducted the
percentage due to the league, stadium and match officials cost. The term force
majeure means unforeseeable circumstances that prevent someone from fulfilling a
contract. Unlike the Sea Birds and Madlenya clash which will continue for the
remaining 45 minutes, this game is to be started afresh. The Madlenya and Sea
Birds match was called off by match officials after paramedics did not show up
over three weeks ago.