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WANDERERS TO FIELD MANYISA SUNDAY

By NOMALUNGELO PHIRI | 2019-11-22

SOCCER – WITH the case involving Manzini Wanderers and Malanti Chiefs still unresolved, the Weslians have vowed to use the player in question (Leon Manyisa) during their Ingwenyama Cup match against Tinyosi on Sunday.

This will be during the grand opening games to be played at Somhlolo National Stadium.

This comes after allegations that the player was ineligible to play after signing a two-year deal with Armenian side FC Van on October 20, 2019.

Goal

Malanti Chiefs recently lodged a protest against Wanderers for fielding Manyisa during an MTN Premier League match played at Somhlolo National Stadium on November 2, where they lost 0-1 through a goal scored by the same player in question.

The case has since been postponed twice by the Eswatini Football Association’s Protest and Disciplinary Committee.

Malanti claim the player is double-registered by Wanderers and the Armenia side FC Van.

Manzini Wanderers PRO Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini said the18-year-old midfielder was a rightful Manzini Wanderers player and eligible to play in any of their games.

Contract

“It will depend on the coach’s selection whether to use the player on Sunday against Tinyosi. I can tell you now that the player is eligible to play like any of our players,” said Dlamini.

He said the player would be available for selection as he had been training hard for the match.

Manyisa is said to have played four official games in the Armenian side FC Van. It later transpired that the player’s contract had been terminated after failing to agree on personal terms and he had to return home where he rejoined Wanderers.

The former Vovovo FC starlet is reportedly a subject of interest from Spanish giants but a trip for trials for the player has been delayed by visa problems.

Speaking to the British broadcaster, Manyisa revealed that he was thrilled to have been given the opportunity to attend trials at Real Madrid. Manyisa has represented Eswatini at various youth levels, and has once been called up to the senior squad.

Meanwhile, the matter was again postponed to next Tuesday because the FA failed to produce certain papers.

Both lawyers Zakhele Dlamini (Malanti Chiefs) and Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila Wanderers submitted that by today, they should be furnished with the documents.

Case

They agreed to the postponement of the case with costs to be incurred by the Eswatini Football Association.

Meanwhile, an independent investigation by this newspaper is now pointing fingers at the FA.

A reliable source also said it would seem the FA blundered in this matter.

“Let us wait and see, but this matter will leave a rotten egg on the face of the FA. Something seriously went wrong here, but I won’t say much for now because the matter is with the disciplinary committee.”

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