MBABANE – The Derrick Jele-chaired Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Appeals Board delivered a definitive blow to Mbabane Highlanders’ hopes of staying in the Ingwenyama Cup.
Despite a spirited attempt to overturn a previous guilty verdict, the capital city giants have seen their dismissal from the tournament upheld, ending a controversial chapter that has dominated local back pages for weeks.
The saga stems from the chaotic scenes witnessed at Mavuso Sports Centre last month during a high-stakes Last 16 clash against Nsingizini Hotspurs. The match was marred by mayhem, leading the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Disciplinary Committee to initially hand down a stern judgment just over a week ago. That original ruling found Highlanders guilty of the crowd trouble, resulting in a E50 000 fine and the automatic forfeiture of the fixture.
In yesterday’s appeal hearing, the Board remained unmoved by the club’s arguments regarding the conviction itself. While the legal team for Highlanders managed to secure a partial victory by successfully arguing for the financial penalty to be halved to E25 000, the core of the sanction remains. The guilty verdict stands, and the dream of Ingwenyama Cup glory for the ‘Black Bull’ is officially over for this season.
The ripple effects of this decision provide a clear path forward for the remaining contenders. Nsingizini Hotspurs, having been awarded the victory by forfeiture, officially progress to the quarter-finals.
They are now scheduled to face National First Division outfit Msumpe Manchester in what promises to be a David-and-Goliath encounter.
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