SIHLANGU MAKE HISTORY

MBABANE – Two teams belonging to Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Executive Members have been relegated to the regions.

Decisive MTN National First Division League games were played across different venues yesterday and former Premier League sides in Hub Sundowns, Mbabane City and Red Lions were the major casualties.  Hub, who are a team belonging to PLE Executive Member Steve Horton, beat Rangers by 2-1 but went down on inferior goal difference after Tambankulu Callies won 3-0 against City Warriors.

PLE Chairman Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula, who is attached to Mbabane City, also saw the latter being relegated at Prince of Wales Ground following a 1-2 loss to Madlenya. Also playing their last game in the country’s second-tier yesterday were Red Lions who fired blanks against Premier League-bound Milling Hot Spurs in a 0-0 draw.

Just last season, both Red Lions and Mbabane City were campaigning in the Premier League. This means the sides have suffered the same fate twice in two years.

Hub, who were 2005 SwaziBank (now Eswatini) Cup champions, were relegated from top flight football in the 2010/11 season.
The old PLE Constitution, which is undergoing review, had called for Executive Members whose teams went down to relinquish their posts.

However, in a retreat about a month ago, PLE Board of Governors unanimously agreed that the chairman should not be relegated. However, the final call rests with the General Assembly.

In essence, the final decision and way forward on the issue will be known during the elite football office’s General Assembly in the next few months.

PLE CEO Simanga Nhleko could not be drawn for comment on the issue, as match reports for yesterday’s games were yet to reach his office. Relegation will also be made official during the Annual General Meeting.
(Full match reports inside)

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