EFA ‘KINGMAKER’ IN ‘WESLIANS’ SAGA

MBABANE – Another twist!
This is the marathon relegation battle involving Manzini Wanderers, which was eventually decided by Judge Mumcy Dlamini at the High Court of Eswatini, last Friday. The matter began about five months ago, when Wanderers lodged a protest over Denver Sundowns defender Jimoh Moses. This was during the MTN Premier League relegation six-pointer, which was played at Somhlolo National Stadium, where Ikappa Kappa won 4-2. Wanderers alleged that Moses had no valid work permit during that game. The teams were hauled before the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC), which ruled in favour of Sundowns.

The ruling by the Thulani Sibandze-chaired committee did not sit well with Wanderers and they took it to the EFA’s Appeals Board, which also dismissed the case. The ‘Weslians’ went to the court seeking that it review the verdict of the Appeals Board, as they felt that Moses was ineligible to play the match on May 19, 2024. Judge Dlamini, after she heard the parties, ordered that the decision of the first respondent (chairman of the EFA Appeals Board) dismissing the applicant’s (Wanderers) appeal be reviewed and set aside.

ineligible

She declared that Moses, who is the centre of the case, was an ineligible player on May 19, 2024 and, therefore, disqualified from playing the match against Wanderers. The judge, when passing the judgment ordered the chairman of the EFA Appeals Board as well as the EFA to do all act(s) necessary to remedy the irregularities of May 19, 2024.
Wanderers remain in the ‘wilderness’ despite the court victory.The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Executive Committee (ExCo) convened a meeting at Sigwaca House, yesterday, to deliberate on the ‘Weslians’ court case ruling. The PLE Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati, after the meeting, revealed that the ExCo decided to write a letter to the EFA CEO seeking clarity on the matter, as both the DC and Appeals Board are owned by them.

Meanwhile, a well-informed insider, confirmed on conditions of anonymity that they had written to EFA as they were not in any way involved in the judgments both from its judiciary bodies as well as from the court.“The judiciary bodies are not for the PLE and we are now waiting for EFA to make the decision,” he said.It is worth mentioning that Wanderers wrote to the PLE seeking that they be allowed to play in the MTN Premier League after the court ruling. A source close to the ‘Weslians’ revealed that they were waiting for the PLE’s decision on their request and failure to do so, they will take further action. “We are not begging the PLE to fixture us, we are demanding as per the order of the court,” the source said.

forwarded

The EFA Marketing and Communications Officer Muzi ‘Rhoo’ Radebe, on the other hand, said nothing of this nature had reached his office, but was quick to highlight that usually such matters were forwarded to the CEO Frederick Mngomezulu.Attempts to get comments from Mngomezulu proved futile, as he sent a message that he was held up in a meeting by the time this report was compiled.

Notably, Moneni Pirates who are interested parties in the matter filed an appeal after the verdict that favours Wanderers. The appeal can only be heard in January, latest.
If Wanderers get full points, Pirates can be relegated, as per the past season’s standings. It is believed that a win-win situation, under the current situation, is a 15-team league that can be endorsed by EFA. Apparently, Pirates are ready to withdraw the appeal, if their place in the Premier League will be guaranteed. Under a 15-team league, one team can be standby every week and reports suggest the ‘floating’ side can play midweek. In the National First Division, there are 13 teams and there is also a standby every week.

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