‘BIRDS, ‘BUFFS’ CRUNCH MATCH IN LIMBO

MBABANE – It is doubtful.

This is the MTN Premier League match between defending champions Mbabane Swallows and Young Buffaloes, which has been penned for next week. Swallows are currently facing cash flow challenges, which cast uncertainity about their first game of the year, if the owed players’ salaries remain unchanged. Swallows, are grappling with a dire financial situation concerning player remuneration. Reports indicate that players have gone without pay for the past two months, with their last payment in September amounting to only half of their salaries.

Swallows’ Acting President, Absalom Ngwenya, has reportedly stated that the club lacks the funds to settle these debts, a claim made during a hearing at the Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration Commission (CMAC) last month. Players from Highlanders, on the other hand, find themselves in a similar predicament. The Umkhonto KaShaka players, along with those of Inkunz’emmyama, also had to endure a bleak Christmas Day, as their salaries were still not paid, forcing the players to spend their day with their families with nothing in their hands.

However, during Friday’s Sports Show programme on Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS), hosted by Siphesihle ‘Sihlabani’ Nxumalo, Swallows Public Relations (PRO) Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya said the situation right now was still unchanged as they were still waiting for the Premier League Eswatini (PLE) to write them a letter assuring stability in the club.

Training

“By now, the technical team should have presented their training plan to management ahead of the game against Young Buffaloes next weekend, but the technical cannot present anything if the players are still not back,”  he said. Ngwenya expressed the team’s concern over the game against Young Buffaloes, scheduled to take place at Mavuso Sports Centre. He stressed that the match is critical for the team and that the club is tirelessly working to find a solution to the ongoing financial woes. “Right now the question is that when you call the players where they are, you are saying what they will pay with in transport, which is another challenge.

And when they arrive, what will you say about the salaries that we currently don’t have to give them? So with the challenges that are at stake, we are going to meet as management,” he said.Ngwenya expressed hope that the PLE would write them the letter today and revealed that it doesn’t mean that when they have the letter, it will automatically mean that the players will receive their salaries. However, the letter will help in giving potential sponsors assurance of stability in the team.

The Swallows pro also called for help from any potential companies and all those concerned to support the club, stating that any available money would be gladly welcomed. Those interested can send money via mobile to +268 7855 5435. A concerned Umkhonto KaShaka player, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, revealed that the team has no intention of participating in the upcoming match against ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’, citing the club’s disregard for the players’ salary concerns as the primary reason for this decision.

The player emphasised that the team’s management committee’s neglect was deeply hurtful. “The most hurtful aspect of this situation is that our management committee has turned a blind eye to our predicament. We have families and bills to pay just like anyone else, and yet our concerns continue to be ignored,” the player said. When approached for comment on the matter, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the PLE Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati, declined to provide any insights. ‘Kungumusa’ was responding to the city giants’ allegations of anticipating a letter of peace from the PLE office to resolve outstanding salaries.

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