Africa-Press – Eswatini. DISGRUNTLEMENT is an understatement to what teams have voiced out regarding the decision made by the Premier League of Eswatini to fixture their crunch Ingwenyama Cup Cup quarter-final games at Mayaluka Stadium.
The quarterfinal games will see defending champions Green Mamba take on ambitious side Nsingizini Hotspurs, while army side Young Buffaloes have a date with giant-slayers Madlenya.
The decision to have the games played at the sugarbelt stadium has reportedly not gone down well with some of the teams.
Green Mamba officials, in particular, are unhappy with the venue. Reports further suggest that Green Mamba are likely to make their grievances known by sending a letter to relevant authorities.
Team PRO Mandla Sibiya expressed his frustration at the PLE’s decision as it was not their home ground.
“As far as we are concerned, we are the hosting team and we should be enjoying home ground advantage.”
He said the last time they played there, the venue was found not fitting to host PLE games because of the turf.
“I have raised the issue with the PLE before but it fell on deaf ears. There is nothing we can do but we will honour the fixture.”
Sibiya said they did not want to be seen as cry-babies but they were not happy with the PLE’s decision.
“We registered Ka-Langa Technical Centre and King Sobhuza II Stadium as our home grounds with the PLE.
“I do not know what I have put myself into trying by raising this concern, but we are not happy as a team.”
Young Buffaloes CEO Sandile Gwebu said there was nothing they could do but to honour the fixture.
“We are the hosting team, but surprisingly we are not using our home ground. It’s a pity this is happening but we will go there and play.”
On another note, Mbabane Highlanders CEO Musa Masuku said the scheduling of the games was not fair and they were not happy at all.
“True, Mavuso Sports Centre is our home ground but I still feel the PLE could have done better with the fixtures.
“We should be choosing where we want to play, but we are told the rules give the PLE the power to decide where teams should play.”
Masuku said the PLE should not have put the security forces teams together as means to dilute the fixtures.
“They should find a proper and balanced way to group the teams.”
The PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Kenneth Makhanya, said they did everything by the book.
“We have always followed the rules in whatever we do. The Ingwenyama Cup fixtures are decided by the MC and that is catered for in the rules,” he said.
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