MBABANE – Relegated Manzini Wanderers are reportedly demanding a full refund following the collapse of their deal to purchase Red Rhinos’ Premier League status.
Impeccable sources confirmed that the ‘Weslians’ have formally engaged Red Rhinos superiors regarding financial compensation. It is understood the hub giants had paid no less than E350 000 to secure the Premier League slot.
Wanderers Head of Communications Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini neither confirmed nor denied the claims.
“The issue was dealt with at the highest level. Currently, nothing has been communicated regarding the issue. Once that happens, we will announce it through the proper channels,” Dlamini said.
Meanwhile, Rhinos Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sifiso Mamba referred all queries to club Director Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba. The latter declined to comment on the matter.
After decades in elite football, Wanderers have officially accepted their fate and will compete in the MulaSport National First Division (NFD) next season. This leaves Mbabane Swallows as the only side among Eswatini’s ‘Big Three’ never to have suffered relegation.
Mbabane Highlanders, now trading as Mbabane Highlanders AM, were relegated at the end of the 2012/13 campaign after finishing 11th, before bouncing straight back the following season.
They faced the drop again in 2016/17 after another 11th-placed finish. However, late Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze spared the club by expanding the top flight from 12 to 14 teams after mini play-offs.
In an official statement released by the Board of Directors, the ‘Weslians’ confirmed their attempt to bypass top-flight exile had fallen through. While the opportunity arose to acquire the Premier League status of NFD champions Red Rhinos, strict regulatory frameworks prevented the purchased slot from being renamed or re-registered under the iconic Wanderers banner. Refusing to sacrifice their brand, heritage and identity for a boardroom shortcut, the leadership chose the honourable route to Eswatini’s second-tier.
Founded in 1957, Manzini Wanderers stand as one of the country’s most cherished institutions, boasting a rich trophy cabinet and a passionate fanbase. However, recent years have been plagued by operational instability and dire performances on the pitch, culminating in their first formal drop from the top division.
The heartbreak comes just a year after Wanderers pulled off a miraculous boardroom escape. Having finished in the drop zone during the 2023/24 campaign, the club mounted high-profile legal battles and protests over player eligibility disputes to secure dramatic reinstatement.
Collapsed status sales are not unique to Eswatini. As reported by the BBC, the proposed sale of English Championship side Derby County was called off in August, despite owner David Clowes being just an hour away from finalising the deal with Saudi Arabian government official Turki Al-Sheikh.
Despite agreement from both parties and approval from the Independent Football Regulator (IFR) and the English Football League (EFL), Al-Sheikh abruptly withdrew his interest.
Elsewhere, Coach Musa Manyatsi has confirmed he remains at Wanderers, despite earlier reports linking him with the exit door following the club’s relegation. Several unnamed players were also linked with a possible exit if Wanderers lost the status battle.
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