WANDERERS IN INGWENYAMA CUP DILEMMA

MBABANE – Manzini Wanderers face a precarious situation that could see them not participating in the prestigious Ingwenyama Cup.

If that happens, the ‘Weslians’ will also have no first-round incentive award to fight for as the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) will award them away today. The hub-giants are currently embroiled in a legal battle which has kept them inactive for much of the season, except only participating in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup.

The drama stems from a contentious relegation battle against Denver Sundowns. Wanderers protested the inclusion of Sundowns’ Skipper, Jimoh Moses, claiming he lacked a valid work permit during a crucial encounter. Their grievances were dismissed by both the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) and the Appeals Board, prompting them to seek legal recourse.

In a landmark ruling, the High Court sided with the maroon and white outfit, ordering the football authorities to review and overturn the previous decisions. This victory, however, was short-lived as Moneni Pirates, an interested party, filed an appeal against the High Court’s judgment. The appeal is scheduled to be heard on February 10, 2025. The legal backbiting has left Wanderers in a state of limbo. While they were reinstated into the MTN Premier League, the league authorities have yet to implement the High Court’s ruling. Consequently, they are yet to play a league game this season.

Impact

This inactivity could severely impact their chances of participating in the Ingwenyama Cup. The tournament Public Relations Officer (PRO) Nkosilenhle ‘Makawosi’ Masuku, speaking on national radio, Eswatini Broadcasting and Information Services (EBIS) said active teams from the MTN Premier League, NFD, and the four regional champions are eligible ones for the tournament.

“The tournament rules will guide us on club participation, which must also adhere to the rules as the EFA will provide us with the list of participants.  That indicates that only active teams will be eligible to participate. If any club’s status is unclear or if it is unknown where they are playing, I don’t foresee them participating in the Ingwenyama Cup,” Masuku said. He said 32 teams are expected to play in the main tournament. He further explained instances of where there could be a hurdle in qualifying. “We will utilise a stand-by approach, guided by Article 3 of the tournament’s rules,” he added.

Meanwhile, Wanderers through their legal representative Sifiso ‘Charlie’ Jele from SM Jele Attorneys, wrote to the PLE and reminded them that their client are entitled and ready to participate in the upcoming Ingwenyama Cup. “Our client further instruct us that they expect to be seeded as a premier league club, as you are aware that they were never relegated from the premier league, there being a court order to that effect, which you are obliged to abide by,” reads part of the letter addressed to the PLE.

It went on to state that Wanderers is surprised by the PLE’s silence pertaining their participation in the tournament. “Our client requests that you hereby furnish them with particulars of their registration in the said competition on or before 10am on Monday, January 13, 2025. This will allow our client to adequately prepare for same,” it added. Jele said Wanderers reserve the right to take appropriate action on the matter as and when it becomes necessary.

The PLE Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat ‘Kungumusa’ Vilakati said they had not received the letter from Wanderers. On another note, PLE will today crown the first round champions of both the top-flight and lower divisions. This means the Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe’s side will miss out on the associated incentives. Malanti Chiefs are the winners of the NFD E50 000 incentive, while either Royal Leopard or Green Mamba will snatch top-tier’s E100 000 ‘carrot’.

Wanderers’ Management Committee (MC) Chairman, Jabulani Dlamini lamented the impact of this decision on the team and league sponsorships. “I’d rate the negative impact on sponsorship for the PLE at 80 per cent. When they negotiate sponsorships, we’re mentioned as one of the crowd pullers. But if we’re not there, we’d like to hear how they are going to do so,” Dlamini said. He further lamented the lack of motivation for the players as they have already missed out on player of the month awards. In England, the ongoing legal battle surrounding Manchester City’s eligibility to compete in the Premier League this season has cast a long shadow over their participation in the FA Cup.

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