FREE CLEARANCES

Sports Editor

MBABANE – In a short WhatsApp message, Mbombela United Director Oupa Matsebula brought Eswatini internationals’ tenure at his club to an abrupt end over the weekend.

Matsebula, in not so many words, apologised to the players for not paying salaries for the month of August but went further to alert them that they can get their clearances from the club’s secretariat.

This means the four Eswatini internationals, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst, Justice Figuareido plus two members of the technical bench, Siyabonga Bhembe and Dennis ‘Yuki’ Masina, have to seek greener pastures in the new 2020/2021 season. It could not be ascertained whether Matsebula has virtually disbanded the team but a source close to the matter confirmed the team fondly known as ‘Tingwenyama’ could well be confined to the dustbin of history.

Mbombela United were relegated from the GladAfrica Championship after being found guilty for fielding an alleged defaulter in Sihlangu striker Ndzinisa, who is said to have signed a contract with TS Sporting. The Mbombela side were docked 23 points with ‘Sikhali’ banned for two years by the SAFA Arbitration Committee three weeks ago.

compensation

“I have tried to get you at least something in the form of compensation for August but have failed. This as you are aware that we have not received our grant for August. I know the kind of hardship this situation presents and for that, I am really heartbroken. The team as you know it has been relegated and further information on where to get your UI-19 to access UIF will be forthcoming. Mr Ramokgadi and Mabuza can be contacted for documentation should the need arise,” read the message sent by Matsebula to all the team players over the weekend.

One of the players, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed receiving the message and that they would soon be filing claims for their taxes and receiving their clearances.

“Basically we will get back the money we were taxed then get our clearances. I don’t think Mr Matsebula is interested in football anymore after what happened. It’s very sad for everyone,” the player said.

This newspaper also got hold of another message sent to the players by one of the club officials wishing all of them well in their future endeavours.

careers

“Bafethu, good luck on your careers wherever you are going to ply your trade. I will be following you guys on your careers. I was blessed working with such a group of talented players like you guys,” read part of the message.

Already two of the Eswatini internationals, Justice Figuareido and Felix Badenhorst, have joined Premier Soccer League (PSL) newbie’s TS Galaxy who have bought the status of Highlands Park for reportedly E60 million. 

The Tim Sukazi-owned team is in camp in Mbombela already preparing for the new PSL season set to kick-off next month.

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