Qedulwazi Ndimanzde of Manzini Wanderers
The Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) and the country’s most supported side Manzini Wanderers are in dispute over the gate collections share of Sunday’s FixedFone Cup final.
The ‘Weslians’, as Wanderers are affectionately called, have written a letter to the PLS and the cup sponsor, Swaziland Posts and Telecommunications Corporation (SPTC), demanding an equal share of the gate collections.
Wanderers will face Mbabane Swallows in the 3rd place play-off final at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday at 2:30pm.
However, the PLS insist that as per the agreement with the teams a week ago, the finalists, Malanti Chiefs and Green Mamba, will receive 70% of the gate takings with the rest (30%) being shared by Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Wanderers.
Wanderers are basing their argument on that tournament’s rules, Article 15.6 which reads: “Clubs shall have an equal share of the balance of the gate-takings after all deductions i.e PLS percentage; stadium levy and any other payments to be made and the PLS representative shall be informed.”
Manzini Wanderers PRO Vulindlela Kunene said they are disappointed with the PLS because the rules of the tournament state that the four teams would get equal share.
But PLS Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Zwelonkhe ‘Sport’ Dlamini said that as an organization they stand by their decision.
“It’s an order from the PLS Governors, it’s not a request,” he said.
PLS Chairman, Victor Gamedze said every Cup final has its own rules.
“Before the finals, the clubs shared the gate collections equally but now it must be the finalists getting a lion’s share because it’s their day.
“It must not seem like we designed this knowing Wanderers or Swallows won’t reach the finals – it could have been any team in the finals,” Gamedze explained.
By Lwazi Dlamini