‘WESLIANS’ FANS ATTACK KOLA IN CHARITY CUP!

MBABANE – It seems some Manzini Wanderers fans are not ready to let go of star player Aladeon Kola without a fight- literally.

Minutes after emerging from the Somhlolo National Stadium tunnels with his Mbabane Swallows teammates for a warm-up session before the EswatiniTelecom Charity Cup matches on Sunday, a stray beer can, which was thrown from the Wanderers stand, missed the player by inches. The contents of the can also almost soaked the player before spilling into the turf.

Kola, who signed a three-month contract with Swallows from Wanderers late in May, was a substitute in the semi-final clash against Young Buffaloes, before starting his first match in his new team’s colours in the 2-1 win over Mbabane Highlanders in the final.
The player also confirmed the incident after the game, but declined to comment any further on the issue.

Swallows General Manager Sandile Zwane’s phone rang unanswered when sought for comment.
Wanderers’ loyalists were seated on the right side of the VIP box.
Meanwhile, some of the Wanderers fans had also thrown cans onto the field when their favourite side were in action against Mbabane Highlanders in the first semi-final of the Charity Cup. It was in protest of a decision not to award a penalty after they felt their talisman Mike Dombo was floored in the box.

Article 11.2 of the tournament’s rules and regulations frowns on throwing missiles at stadia and a guilty party pays a minimum fine of E15 000.
Wanderers CEO Pat Mahlalela felt the incidents were unfortunate, stressing that as management, they frowned upon such unsporting behaviour.
“We know football is game of emotions, but there is no excuse for resorting to violence.  As a team, we condemn such behaviour.
“Despite the unfortunate incidents, we would like to thank the supporters for remaining in the stadium in support of charity long after the team had been eliminated,” he said.

Highlanders, on the other hand, are also in trouble following unsporting behaviour by some of their fans in the final. They also threw missiles and face a E15 000 fine.
Even if fans are not wearing a replica of certain team at a stadium, being on the stand or section of the stadium allocated to that particular football side makes them a member of it as per the dictates of Article 11.4 (2) of the rules of the tournament.

Both teams will be in hot soup if implicated in the match official’s report for the day.
Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) COO Pat Vilakati said his office would wait for the official reports from the match officials and then take it from there.

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