Flag pays E500 ECSA fine, returns to action

MALKERNS – It was a return that failed to inspire Correctional Services Pool Club in the chase for their maiden Dixie’s International Pool League title.

Four points behind their security forces rivals, Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Pool Club, Correctional Services were not good enough to beat a determined Ludzeludze I. Nxumalo had not been part of their games since a few matches towards the end of the first round, yet he is their marquee player.

Nxumalo had been suspended since early March for misconduct while on national duty. He was the national coach of the country’s men and women senior squads in Zambia at the All Africa Blackball Championships. However, after the Eswatini Cue Sports Association (ECSA) Disciplinary Committee (DC) found him guilty, he was fined E1 000 while half of the fine was suspended for two years but he must not be charged with same offence during this period.

Correctional Services Darts and Pool Teams’ Flag Nxumalo.

MRPA/DIXIE’S POOL LEAGUE RESULTS:

Man Pool Club Malkerns Stairs Ludzeludze Bhunya

Cor Services Garrison

II

Africa. He said athletes would be using the event as part of the upcoming Commonwealth Games’ preparations, as well as for the African Championships billed for next month. 11 – 13 Manzini Masters

10 – 13 Way Inn

13 – 8 Ntondozi

8 – 13 Figaredo

2 – 13 REPS

9 – 13 Ludzeludze I

13 – 11 Phocweni

Nxumalo had said last week that his team received the verdict and that he would pay the fine as he loved the sport and wanted to play for his team.

“Be informed, I’m sure that we are all aware of the misconduct by one of our best players on national duty, Norman Khoza and Flag Nxumalo. Flag has paid the fine and is now eligible to play,” Manzini Regional Pool Association (MRPA) Secretary Musa Dlamini confirmed in a correspondence sent to all clubs on Monday after the player featured over the weekend.

He said as an office, they were proud of the two’s behaviour during the international assignment, the first in over decade for Eswatini pool due to power scuffles in the sport. However, he said the office would forget about this one and only be optimistic it does happen again in the future. Meanwhile, Khoza remains suspended for REPS, as his case is yet to resume after his lawyers informed ECSA to reschedule in respect of their client’s religious rights as it was Easter Monday when the DC convened.

Nxumalo’s hearing continued in his absentia and was found guilty, fined and further lost his national coach title to Mbabane Pool Club’s Sihle Mokoena.