RISING PLAYERS STATUS COMMITTEE CASES WORRY PLE

MBABANE – The Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) is troubled by the surge of player transfer disputes reaching the Players Status Committee (PSC) this past transfer window.

The second registration window period, which closed five days ago, saw a number of players seeking the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) PSC’s assistance to secure releases from their clubs. Disputes between clubs and players were over clearances requiring the committee’s intervention.

For instance, on January 23, 2025, close 20 players were at Sigwaca House lining up for their cases to be heard. They ranged from top-tier to regional football leagues players. PLE Chairman, Polycarp Dlamini, has voiced his concerns, urging teams and players to resolve matters amicably. “It’s worrying to see so many players running to the Players’ Status Committee. We’d like clubs and players to try to resolve issues around the table, rather than matters escalating to the committee,” Dlamini said.

Livelihoods

He emphasised the need for a balance, with clubs understanding that players’ livelihoods depend on football, while players also need to refrain from taking their employers for granted. “They shouldn’t just think that whenever there’s an issue, they’ll run to the PSC. It’s not the right approach, because sometimes teams don’t have the money, but try their best to provide for their welfare,” he said.

Meanwhile, an immediate comment from the PSC was unavailable yesterday. This was meant to obtain precise figures of players who filed cases this registration window compared to the Sipho Matse-led committee’s previous registration window period.

Cases

During the transfer window, which closed last Monday, a considerable number of cases were reported. Among the reported cases was that of former Mbabane Swallows left-back, Siphosethu Mabilisa. Swallows and Mabilisa disagreed over his release to Young Buffaloes before the PSC ruled committee intervened.

The committee advised that ‘Birds’ and his current club, Young Buffaloes, to discuss their differences to reach a solution, which eventually led to the player’s release. Swallows also secured the signing of Green Mamba’s striker, Kwenzokuhle ‘Ndoye’ Khumalo, through the PSC after a dramatic turn of events, as the player was initially reported to have been cleared to Ezulwini United.

Intervention

Others who sought the PSC’s intervention included four Manzini Wanderers players Phathizwe ‘Kati’ Mabuza, Lindelwa Dludlu, Sandile Maseko and Jabulani Mavimbela. Also, former Mbabane Highlanders Captain, Philani Mkhonto, was released to Manzini Sea Birds at the eleventh hour, just before his case was due to be heard by the PSC.

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