SIHLANGU COACH FRAMED!

MBABANE – The EFA has reacted with shock to the fake Facebook page depicting Coach Dominic Kunene.

The trending account, which impersonates Kunene, surfaced shortly after Sihlangu went down 0-1 to Cape Verde on Tuesday afternoon at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit. A screenshot of the account with Kunene’s photo as a profile picture was later circulated on social media platforms, mainly Facebook, where the perpetrator using the name of the former Young Buffaloes coach talks about Mbabane Swallows free-scoring attacking midfielder Felix Badenhorst. One of the posts on the fake account suggests that the MTN Premier League leading goalscorer was not cooperative, which led to him not being selected for the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Qualifiers.

False

“The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) has noted a false Facebook account purported to be owned by the Senior Men’s National Team head coach, Mr. Dominic Kunene. This account does not belong to the head coach of the national team and, therefore, he is not associated with the content that is published in that account, nor does he have any or links to it. As a matter of fact, the national team head coach does not even have a Facebook account. In as far as the selection of the national team players is concerned, this is the responsibility of the technical team of the national team and all selected players become part of the national team as per the player analysis and selection of this national team structure.

“ The EFA would like to take this opportunity to apologise to all stakeholders who might have been adversely affected by the content linked to that false Facebook account that only seeks to tarnish the best efforts of the national team coach. As per the head coach’s comment, when he assumed his position, the national team selection is open to every player who qualifies to play for any national team, as per the FIFA regulations on the eligibility of playing national team football; the EFA believes that the head coach is implementing that to the best of his capabilities and in a professional manner,” reads the statement from EFA in part.

The unknown culprit who created the fake account of the Sihlangu coach has violated the country’s Computer Crime and Cybercrime Act, 2022. Article 16 states that,  “A person who intentionally and without lawful excuse or justification or in excess of a lawful excuse or justification, by using a computer system in any stage of the offence intentionally transfers, acquires, possesses or uses a means of identification of another person with the intention to commit, or to aid or abet or in connection with any unlawful activity that, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding E200 000 or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding five years or both.”

Fake

Experts say while most people know that there are fake Facebook accounts and profiles, but according to Facebook the problem is much bigger than that. It is well known that fraudsters use fake Facebook accounts to connect with users and their friends in order to obtain personal information for the purpose of identity theft. Fake account holders also contact anyone who has accepted their friend request to try and extort money. Meanwhile, Eswatini National Football Supporters Association (ENFSA) Chairman Menzi ‘Madlakadla’  Dladla has expressed his disappointment about the fake account.

  “As an association, we are really disappointed by this behaviour, which has been done by one of our own, degrading our national team coach we respect and love. We really hope that the individual who is doing this will stop,” he said.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: