Mbabane – He is back in Eswatini.
Former Mbabane Highlanders Managing Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe has acquired the status of Amawele FC. This follows reports by this publication last week that the Msunduza-based side’s director, Thando ‘Mangoza’ Shabangu, had stepped down as the club’s leader.
A source close to the club revealed that Shabangu held numerous meetings with team elders to inform them of his decision. The insider alleged that he finally broke the news to both the elders and the management committee during a meeting a week ago.
According to the source, the director stated he could no longer lead the green and gold side, citing financial challenges.
Shabangu, a former player for the MTN Premier League side, took over the directorship while the team was competing in the Mandla Mahewu Mbabane Promotion A Division League. It is understood that Amawele initially looked for someone to succeed Shabangu, but after failing to find a replacement, their next option was to sell the club’s status permanently.
An insider close to the deal revealed that a club delegation, including Shabangu, some of his co-directors, elders and Public Relations Officer (PRO) David ‘Var’ Ndwandwe travelled to Pretoria to meet Kgomongwe to discuss a potential sale.
Ndwandwe confirmed that indeed they travelled to meet Kgomongwe in Pretoria, South Africa and concluded the deal.
“The visit to Pretoria was successful, as Ally welcomed the idea and bought the status of the team,” the source said.
While the source declined to discuss the financial details of the transaction, they highlighted that Kgomongwe intends to rebrand the team.
“Contact Space or even Var for more details; they are the ones with the information on this deal,” the source added.
Ndwandwe confirmed that the South African businessman and politician has indeed purchased Amawele’s Premier League status. “Yes, it is true. We successfully negotiated with Ally and he has bought the team,” Ndwandwe said.
The lanky spokesperson revealed that this does not spell the end of the Amawele brand, as they are now aiming to acquire a fresh status in the Mandla Mahewu Mbabane Promotion A Division League. “Amawele will not die; we are going to start afresh,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the elders, he thanked the Msunduza community for supporting Shabangu during his reign as Amawele director, and urged them to continue backing Kgomongwe, even though he might not retain the Amawele name.
Meanwhile, former Highlanders Manager Simiso ‘Space’ Jele, who is Kgomongwe’s right-hand man, also confirmed that his boss had secured the franchise. “He will definitely change the name of the team, and I think they have already filed the proposal to have it changed,” Jele said.
The football administrator revealed that Kgomongwe has two names in mind for his new team but could not disclose them, noting that the matter was being handled by the new owner himself.
Efforts to get a comment from Kgomongwe proved futile, as he did not answer WhatsApp calls by the time of going to press. Ally becomes the second South African native to direct a local team, following in the footsteps of businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, who now runs Kgomongwe’s former club, Highlanders.
A source close to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Frederick Mngomezulu stated that the deadline for name change proposal closed when the first registration window opened.
