U-23s force league fixture chaos

MBABANE – The Premier League is set to amend MTN Premier League round two fixtures after receiving the final list of players selected for the national Under-23s squad.

PLE Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Pat Vilakati said the league had already issued the weekend fixtures but would make changes once it received confirmation of the final squad for the Olympic qualifier against Malawi.

“We will amend the fixtures once we get the final list of players who will be part of the Under-23 squad,” Vilakati said.

Asked when the amended fixtures would be issued and which teams would be affected, Vilakati said the changes would apply to clubs with more players involved with the national team, without specifying the number required.

Meanwhile, Mbabane Swallows have three players in the Under-23 squad. These are defender Siphosethu Hlatshwako, midfielder Sanele Ngwenya and forward Bongiswa Dlamini.

Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge Ngwenya said on a national radio sports programme that the club would seek guidance from the PLE on whether its Sunday fixture against Red Rhinos would go ahead.

He said the three players were important to Swallows’ league campaign.

The matter is covered under Rule 10 of the PLE Rules and Regulations, which deals with players selected for representative matches.

Rule 10.1 provides for the release of players to the EFA when national team participation is obligatory under FIFA and EFA regulations.

Rule 10.2 states that where more than three registered players are unavailable to a club because of an obligatory national-team call-up, the league match scheduled during the period of the call-up will be postponed, subject to the club following the prescribed application procedure. The published rule, therefore, sets the threshold at more than three players.

Nsingizini Hotspurs currently have four players in the Under-23 squad. These are defender Mthobisi Zwane, midfielders Luyanda Nhlengetfwa and Thandolwethu Mabelesa and forward Njongo Mazibuko.

They are scheduled to host Manzini Sea Birds at King Sobhuza II Stadium on Saturday.

Other Premier League clubs with players in the squad include Red Rhinos, Young Buffaloes, Moneni Pirates, Royal Leopard, Mbabane Highlanders AM, Amawele and Manzini Sea Birds.

The Under-23 squad are preparing for the first leg of the Olympic qualifier against Malawi this afternoon, with the return leg scheduled for October 6 at Somhlolo National Stadium.

The PLE’s decision on the affected fixtures is now expected after the final national-team list has been confirmed.

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