Africa-Press – Eswatini. Mbabane Highlanders supporters are reportedly unhappy with the club’s Managing Director (MD), Chief Ally Kgomongwe, ahead of a major supporters meeting scheduled for tomorrow.
According to the latest developments, the team supporters are calling for Kgomongwe to step down from his position, citing unfulfilled promises and a lack of progress under his leadership. In 2019, Kgomongwe joined Highlanders and signed a five-year contract with the black and white ensemble during a press briefing held at the Southern Sun Hotel in Tshwane, South Africa.
The South African businessman was presented with the contract by a three-member delegation of patrons, led by Chairman Isaac Shabangu, Secretary Lucky Mahlalela and member Benson Dlamini, alongside Kgomongwe’s business associates.
Upon signing for the team, he made several promises, including a vow to restore Inkunzi Emnyama to its former glory by winning trophies and returning to African cup competitions under his leadership.
Ambitious
These ambitious commitments sparked optimism and high expectations among the team’s supporters and stakeholders. Two years after joining the team, the politician was entrusted with the management of the club, which was subsequently registered as a company. As part of this arrangement, Kgomongwe received an 80 per cent stake in the company, while the remaining 20 per cent was divided between the club’s patrons and supporters.
This restructuring is aimed at providing a clear framework for the club’s management and decision-making processes, ensuring that the team could continue to grow and succeed under Kgomongwe’s leadership.
The latest news coming from the Mbabane giants camp indicate that a group of supporters have been expressing their dissatisfaction with the club’s management, particularly regarding the involvement of Ally Kgomongwe.
These fans have been vocal on social media platforms, mainly Facebook and during matches, making it known that they were unhappy with the current state of affairs and would like Kgomongwe to step down. Sibonelo ‘Remix’ Maseko, a well-known Mbabane Highlanders supporter, confirmed in an interview that many supporters were indeed calling for the departure of Ally Kgomongwe. According to Maseko, supporters felt that Kgomongwe had not lived up to the promises he made when he joined the team in 2019.
“To be frank, I believe it would be best if Kgomongwe was to depart from the club. When Kgomongwe first joined in 2019, he pledged to invest seven million in the team and bring in high-quality players who would help secure a league victory. However, he has fallen short of fulfilling these promises, and the players have expressed dissatisfaction with late payments and the stress of dealing with their living arrangements.
The current state of affairs within the club is deeply concerning, and I fear that the upcoming meeting may become contentious. I hope that the authorities will be present to maintain order and that fans will receive the answers they deserve. As a dedicated Highlanders supporter for 24 years, it pains me to witness the current turmoil within the team,” he said.
Highlanders supporter, Mgcie Mdluli, voiced disappointment to the publication over the current state of the team. Mdluli stated that he did not have much to say, but felt disappointed by the recent developments within the club. “As dedicated Mbabane Highlanders supporters, we are unhappy with the team’s performance and are concerned about the unfulfilled promises made by Chief Ally Kgomongwe’s management.
We hope to receive clarification on several pressing issues during the meeting tomorrow. Our aim is to express our concerns in a respectful manner, while seeking answers and reassurance that the club is moving in the right direction. We believe that open dialogue between supporters and management is crucial for the continued success and unity of our beloved team,” he said.
A third supporter said he was not happy with the team’s decision of always travelling to South Africa when playing Mbabane swallows. The supporter emphasised the importance of having Chief Ally attend the upcoming meeting to address the team’s recurring trips to South Africa for matches against Swallows.
Prioritized
“This frequent trips to South Africa for matches against Swallows created the impression that Swallows games were prioritised over other matches, which is disheartening, especially given the recent lack of adequate training before the recent Swallows game which we lost 3-0. Additionally, the team’s recruitment strategy has been questionable, as the signings of rejected players have not improved performance. Furthermore, the current preparation methods do not reflect the standards expected of a top-tier team. It is also concerning that potential sponsors are being deterred, which may hinder the team’s progress,” he said.
Another supporter, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed satisfaction with Kgomongwe’s contributions to the team. This individual urged fellow supporters to exercise patience and continue supporting the club as it navigates through this challenging period. “I think Kgomongwe is taking us to greater heights, and we should be patient with him. Running a team isn’t easy, and we’re lucky to have someone like Ally leading us. He’s doing his best, and I believe he’ll bring us success in the future,” he said.
Responding to the growing dissatisfaction among Mbabane Highlanders supporters, Ally Kgomongwe expressed dismay at the situation. He emphasised that he had been working diligently to ensure the team’s competitiveness every season, and he was deeply hurt by the negative sentiments expressed by some supporters.
“Since joining the team, I have consistently ensured that players receive their salaries, even during challenging times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. My annual investment in the team exceeds 9 million per season, and I have shouldered the responsibility of managing the club alone, driven by my passion for the team. While I understand the supporters’ concerns, I believe that their demands may not fully consider the complexities of running a football club. I am awaiting the outcome of the meeting and have been informed by the patrons about the supporters’ intention to hold a meeting without my presence. However, I prefer not to comment further at this time, as I would like to receive a comprehensive report on the supporters’ expectations before taking any further action. I will take their input into consideration as I continue to work towards the betterment of the team,” he said.
Allegations
Addressing the allegations that he has been rejecting potential sponsors, Kgomongwe clarified that he is open to any sponsorship opportunities that would benefit the team. However, he emphasized that potential sponsors should be prepared to contribute financially to support the team’s needs and aspirations.
“Which sponsors have come forward and been rejected by me? I’ve never turned away any sponsors, and small donations like E10 000 are simply not enough to support the team. It costs over E250 000 per month to run the team, and I have been funding this out of my own pocket. People need to understand that we require sponsors who can make a substantial financial contribution to help the team grow and compete at a high level,” he shared.
Kgomongwe stated that he is willing to step down from his position if the supporters believe that someone else can better lead the team. He emphasised that the well-being and success of the team are his top priorities, and if the supporters feel that a change in leadership is necessary, he will respect their decision and make way for a new leader who can better meet their expectations and guide the team to success.
“If that is what the supporters want, I am prepared to sign the necessary agreement and hand over the reins of the team. My primary concern is the well-being and success of the club, and if my departure is deemed to be in the best interest of the team, I am willing to make that sacrifice for the greater good,” he lamented.
Meeting
Highlanders Public Relations Officer (PRO) Kenneth Dlamini confirmed that there would be a meeting with the supporters tomorrow. Meanwhile, under Kgomongwe’s leadership, Highlanders have experienced a mix of successes and challenges. The team secured the Charity Cup title in 2019 and competed in two Ingwenyama Cup Finals. Additionally, they qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup competition for the first time in over 15 years.
He has also brought in some of the big names most local supporters have followed and watched in South Africa’s top-flight football before like Punch Masenamela, Josef Lekata and Thamsanqa Sangweni, recently Pentjie Zulu among others, while also doing so with the renowned stars domestically.
Such locals he signed are Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa after he first helped revive his career from a two-year ban by a South Football Association (SAFA) Tribunal in absentia in 2020, while at Mbombela United, and has since signed another former Mbombela United and Mbabane Swallows star in Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze for this season.
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