Times Of Swaziland: PIRATES STARS SET TO SHARE E150K

PIRATES STARS SET TO SHARE E150K
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Mengameli Mabuza on 10/09/2024 08:49:00


MBABANE – They deserve it.
This is the story of Moneni Pirates players who will reportedly share E150 000
for being runners-up in the recently-concluded 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, two days
ago. Young Buffaloes demonstrated immense resilience, as they emerged victorious
in the first-ever 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, claiming the inaugural championship. The
highly-charged grand finale was attended by guests led by Minister of Sports,
Culture and Youth Affairs Bongani Nzima and his Commerce, Industry, and Trade
counterpart Manqoba Khumalo, as well as a boisterous crowd of more than 4 000
spectators. It was Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze’s second-half brace that
proved decisive in this fiercely contested match.
The Christopher Ennin-led side  put on a masterful display throughout the
competition, defeating tournament favourites Nsingizini Hotspurs in the
semi-finals, who went on to finish third.
victory. This victory marked a significant milestone for the ‘Sea Robbers’,
who had previously demonstrated their resilience by triumphing over Ezulwini
United and Royal Leopard.
According to the latest development shared from impeccable sources within the
team, the club’s President and astute businessman Thulani Xaba, has made a
generous pledge to the players in the wake of their 8Bet Trade Fair Cup
performance. According to these sources, Xaba committed to offering a
substantial monetary reward of E150 000, a promise that was evidently aimed at
acknowledging the players’ tremendous efforts and achievements throughout the
competition.
“Thulani Xaba, made a heartening pledge to reward his players with a
significant sum of E150 000 following their outstanding display in the 8Bet
Trade Fair Cup. Xaba’s kind gesture, intended to honour the team’s
exceptional performance, came with an inspiring message for the players to
continue their hard work and commitment. “The revelation that a championship
victory would have earned the players a staggering half of the total prize money
further underscores the president’s profound appreciation and admiration for
the team’s relentless efforts,” the source said.Pirates had 20 registered
players in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup. If they are to equally share the winnings,
each player is expected to walk away with up to E7 500. Pirates Public Relations
Officer (PRO) Tipho Shabalala said he is not aware of the incentive.
gesture
“If it is there, it would be a welcome gesture, which is indicative of the
personality and commitment of the President and Board of the club,” he said.
Shabalala went on to first congratulate Buffaloes for winning the tournament.
“Our boys put up a brave fight in the final, but Young Buffaloes proved the
better-prepared team that took its chances well,” he said.
He went on to congratulate all the individual category prize winners. “Special
congratulations go to our players, Bernard Ayikwei and Menzi Simelane for being
announced the Goalkeeper of the Tournament and Player of the Tournament,
respectively,” he added. Meanwhile, amid the celebrations and rewards
following the team’s triumphant victory, sources close to ‘Amathole
Ezinyathi’ have reported that the players are still awaiting a meeting with
Umbutfo Eswatini Defence Force Commander General (4 stars) Hulumende Moses
Mashikilisane Fakudze to discuss potential bonuses for their performance in the
tournament.