Times of Eswatini

Weslians urged to survive axe

- BY NIMROD HLOPHE

(At Sibebe Resort) BABANE – Manzini Wanderers legends gave the current players E10 000 to share as a motivation to survive relegation.

This was during the maroon and white hub giants team building, which was held at Sibebe Resort yesterday. The aim was to offer psychologi­cal therapy to the players after finding themselves ‘dancing’ in the danger zone after enduring one of their poorest seasons in the history of the once feared side in the country.

The Weslians are hanging on the precipice, with seven games to go in the MTN Premier League.

With things getting complicate­d at the faltering giants’ camp, the former players came together to show support to the players and encouraged them to defend the emblem of the club at all cost, despite the financial challenges they were facing and survive the chop.

MTEAM BUILDING

The team building exercise was attended by close to 10 legends, which also saw Clinical Psychologi­st Ndo Mdlalose offering some counsellin­g services to the players. Headlining the event was former goalkeeper and now Supersport pundit William ‘Cool Cat’ Shongwe, who was joined by other legends in Scara Gama, Land Cruiser Mahlalela, Gcinumuzi ‘Ankel’ Manana, Nduku ‘Mfundisi’ Mabuza and ‘Botsotso’ Manyatsi.

The legends admitted that they had a role to play in the team and said they communicat­ed consistent­ly on how they could possible assist the team.

LEAVE A LEGACY

Making key remarks on the day, Shongwe, firstly motivated the players and implored them to leave a legacy in the team as he announced that the legends had jointly raised a sum of E10 000 for the players, which was notably distribute­d among them, each player got close to E500. The team also took time to welcome back gaffer and legend Nyangazezw­e ‘Crooks’ Hlophe. “If you play for Wanderers, you’re easily recognised since the team has a lot of supporters and the media gives you attention. It’s an opportunit­y and a platform for you to shine. Yes, there might be challenges, but try to put them aside and think of what you can achieve out of this club,” he told the players.

He said playing for the Weslians was a stepping stone for him as he is now on television and has also played for all of South Africa’s Soweto giants. Cool Cat has donned Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates and Moraka Swallows’, kits during his hay days.

CAN’T LOSE IT NOW

“We can’t lose it now. We can’t keep it away now. Remember the generation­s that will come after you, will (you tell them) that it was your class which let the team down. Get yourself together and give your best shot,” he said.

He further said the club had nothing much to give out, but encouraged the players to soldier on in the remaining games. Shongwe finally said the players should transform their mindset. He also touched on five fundamenta­l aspects being physical, tactical, technical, nutrition and social, which he said could boost their performanc­e going to the last seven matches in the league.

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