’LANDERS DEMAND MONEY FROM ‘BUFFS’

MBABANE – Just next Sunday, Mbabane Highlanders and Young Buffaloes will battle for E1.3 million in the Ingwenyama Cup final at Somhlolo National Stadium.

However, even before the match starts, the two rivals are already in an off-the-field conflict that has even been reported to the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE). The latter has been asked to intervene and assist the aggrieved club, Highlanders in this instance, to get their rivals to purchase or pay back in cash their vandalised technical equipment estimated to be worth E4 800.

The equipment, a cooler box and medical aid kit, were vandalised allegedly by Buffaloes’ officials during their MTN Premier League second round clash which ended 1-all at Somhlolo National Stadium recently.
“It was when they went into our technical area after our game that our equipment was affected and we have written to the PLE about it seeking that this be condemned and further force Buffaloes to repay the vandalised property before the final next week,” confirmed the club’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Thulani Khumalo yesterday.

He said they submitted their letter to the PLE about two weeks ago but it was a day or two after the match.
“We received a report from the technical bench that the equipment was damaged during the scuffle as Buffaloes were baying for the referee’s blood and it needed replacement. The value of the equipment is E4 800 and not easily replaceable,” he said.

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However, Khumalo said to date, there had been no response he even had to send a reminder on Friday afternoon as per the club directors’ instruction. He also pointed out that they did not communicate anything to their counterparts on the damage, instead opted for their mother body which is the PLE.

“We believe the PLE is the rightful body to approach on issues like this and we can only wait for their advice,” he said.
The team’s Chairman of the Board of Directors Zweli Jele also confirmed they needed the equipment as a club and that was one reason they alerted the PLE of the alleged damage.

“We have the evidence of the damage and even had to borrow in our last game as the team’s equipment remains unusable and (we are) yet to replace it with a new one,” he said but could not quantify each of the two damaged assets save to say they cost around E4 800 and that is just how much they want Buffaloes to pay for the property. Buffaloes’ acting CEO Thando ‘Va’ Nxumalo, when sought for comment, said they were not aware of the matter.

“Even then I do not recall one bit our officials going to Highlanders’ technical area but the match officials. We never went to the area and not aware of the matter being reported to the PLE,” he responded.
Nxumalo said they were only focussed on their preparations to play Highlanders in the final next Sunday and nothing else. PLE CEO Simanga Nhleko asked not to comment saying he would only be able to do so once he has gone through his incoming emails on Monday following that he had been in and out of office, especially on Friday when the reported second letter from Highlanders came in.

Meanwhile, Buffaloes stand to be charged for their conduct and if charged, they will appear before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) which lawfully has the power to order them to compensate Highlanders if indeed, they caused the damage.

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