PLE’S MOMO CUP EXTRA TIME BLUNDER!

MBABANE - The finals of the inaugural MoMo Cup were played outside the rules and regulations of the tournament.

The two sides that were in the final were MTN Premier League rookies and eventual winners Nsingizini Hotspurs after brushing aside seasoned campaigners Moneni Pirates with a 2-1 scoreline in a fast flowing match played at Somhlolo National Stadium two days ago. The Shiselweni-based side needed extra time to shake off the illustrious opponents. The decision by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) to allow the game to go to extra time is against the MoMo Cup Rules and Regulations. The rules states clearly that after 90 minutes, the game is supposed to go straight to penalties.

The organisation, in the process, breached Article 13 (1) and (2) of the MoMo Cup Rules and Regulations.  According to the articles, each match shall last for 90 minutes, with each half playing 45 minutes as laid down by the laws of the game. The main Article, which was breached by the PLE is13 (2), which states that, if no winner is decided within 90 minutes in the play-offs, semifinals and finals, penalty shoot-outs shall take place; up to the sudden death penalties if still no winner is decided after the normal five penalties from each club have been taken.

PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya said such an error was prone to occur as this was their first cup game after a long time in local football, but was quick to highlight that this was not an excuse for what happened on Sunday. “The finals were played, weren’t they?” he asked when responding on what the PLE would do pertaining the breach of the rules in the finals. He also said had the teams read the rules well as they were given weeks before the start of the tournament, the affected club would have filed a protest. “Mine is to thank Fintech for the sponsorship, considering that we had no such tournaments for a long time. So we mustn’t dwell on the negatives only, but we should also give credit where it is due,” Makhanya said.

Meanwhile, Moneni Pirates Manager Twoman Masuku in a post-match interview said they were yet to sit down as management and discuss a way forward as they were aware of the breach of the rules. On the other hand, the ‘Sea Robbers’ Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mbuso ‘Minister’ Hlophe, said nothing was discussed, but was hopeful that the management would look into the matter. “We will evaluate everything but we must consider that this was a new tournament, but if it happens that we do something the media will be informed,” Hlophe said. He further said at the end of the day it was good that football won and they were grateful to the PLE for securing the tournament on behalf of the teams.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: