‘BUFFS’, ‘INGWE’ TACKLE FUTURE FINE RISKS

MBABANE – Following breaches of the MTN Premier League rules, Young Buffaloes and Royal Leopard have announced measures to prevent future penalties.

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) is tasked with sanctioning any team that contravenes the 2024/25 MTN League Rules and Regulations. Both security forces clubs have recently faced the DC due to misconducts. The infractions, attributed to both officials and players, resulted in the army side, Buffaloes, being fined E40 000, while the police side, Ingwe, incurred a penalty of E15 000.

During their appearance before the DC, both clubs expressed their financial constraints, pleading for leniency while emphasising that their limited resources were primarily directed towards enhancing football morale in the country. For example, the inaugural 8Bet Trade Fair Cup champions, Buffaloes, recently showcased a new Primo kit valued at E350 000. In a candid admission before the Thulani Sibandze-led DC, Leopard General Manager (GM) and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Frank Hurube, acknowledged a potentially unresolved issue with one of the match officials.

He noted that they had made efforts to engage with the referee in question, who has overseen approximately three of their matches this season, in an attempt to resolve any differences.
Hurube expressed hope that such dialogue would prevent the team from becoming a frequent attendee at the DC. Similarly, Buffaloes GM Bongwa Ngcamphalala outlined the club’s proactive measures. The club faced charges relating to the assault of a ball boy by a player and some officials. Ngcamphalala revealed that they had reached out to various stakeholders, seeking guidance on certain rule aspects to mitigate the risk of future misconduct during matches.

He asserted that this would be the club’s first and last appearance before the DC.
The GM lamented the rising costs associated with football, stating that their financial reserves had been depleted and reinvested into the sport’s development in the country. It is important to note that fines represent a significant financial burden for clubs already struggling in a challenging economic landscape.

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