Africa-Press – Eswatini. Moneni Pirates’ bad run in the MTN Premier League first round looks fitting to be kept in the bad records, as the team has failed to record a single win in 13 games.
Pirates were held by Madlenya in the last game of the first round at Ka-langa Technical Centre yesterday, where the two sides played to a 1-all draw despite Pirates being the ones that drew first blood in the 60th minute through Mayibongwe Malinga.
Madlenya levelled matters in the 76th minute through Lethokuhle Gamedze.
It would be the first time in the history of the PLE in its last 10-15 years that a team will finish the first round winless.
Stare
Things do not look good for the Sea Robbers, as they also stare relegation in the face, which could be their second in eight years.
They were also relegated in the 2015/2016 season just after they were crowned champions of the 2015 SwaziBank Cup.
Pirates played 10 games under the mentorship of Ikabort Masocha, who was assisted by Thembela Dlamini and both have left the team. Percy Shongwe came in and he too left the club together with Masocha a couple of weeks ago.
They both joined another struggling side Manzini Wanderers.
The team recalled Gcina Dlamini from Illovo to turn their fortunes around, who has so far led the team to two draws in a row.
Assistant
Dlamini is assisted by Richard Ngcamphalala, who has served the club as assistant manager since the beginning of the season.
Moneni Pirates Public Relations Officer Sibusiso Nkambule said this was a bad record for the team.
“This is so unbelievable and very unfortunate to happen to a club like Moneni Pirates.
However, we have not lost hope. We are certain we will turn the corner and start winning games.”
Nkambule said they were going through a rough patch and it was affecting the players.
Recovered
“We lost about seven players, who were in the starting 11 at the beginning of the season and this affected the team.
“We have still not recovered from that and unfortunately we are also not winning games.
We will have to sit down and develop a proper strategy for the second round,” said Nkambule.
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