’ ’ ’

MBABANE - While he is still sorting out his paperwork on a complete move to South Africa, new Royal Leopard midfielder Lungelo Simelane is elated to play back home.

Simelane made these comments after seeing his side hammer Seven Dreams 5-1 in an MTN Premier League match. The match was played on Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre.

“I’m happy to play for the club that raised me; I’ll try to use the experience I got in SA. I’m happy to win my first game as a Royal Leopard player,” said Simelane. He said in order to impress his coaches he would have to adapt quickly to elite league football because it was not the same as SA. “I’m here to help the team and enjoy as much possible. Otherwise it is an honour to play at the country’s elite football,” he said.

Foreigners

When asked about what happened on his move in South Africa’s SuperSport United Under-20s, he said there were many foreigners playing at the team.

“They ordered that I should have two citizenships so that I can be able to be regarded as a South African because I stay close. Once I am done with my paperwork, I’m expected to return to South Africa,” he explained.

He said Leopard gave him the opportunity to be active while he was still sorting his paperwork.

Meanwhile, in a separate matter; Leopard Public Relations Officer (PRO) Frank Hurube said they were surprised to learn that they were labelled as not practising fair play.

Allow

He was asked by Eswatini Broadcasting Information Service (EBIS) Sports Show host Nathie ‘Mdockies’ Hlophe on why they did not allow Seven Dreams to field three former Leopard players.

“I think the person who said we were not fair was not privy that the two clubs entered into an agreement which they had to respect,” said Hurube.

He said while some players were not allowed to play against them, some players were exempted from such agreement. He made an example of Jerome Ntshalintshali and Sandile Dlamini who he said were their players but were fielded by Seven Dreams.