PSL sides in King ’ s Cup fix

THE inaugural King ’ s Super Cup, organised by the Swazi government, has drawn much criticism from democracy lobby groups in the kingdom, and our PSL teams find themselves in the melee.

The rights groups are not happy that Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will compete in the tournament for King Mswati III, Africa ’ s last absolute monarch.

Both teams have confirmed that they will participate in the tournament next month at Somhlolo National Stadium.

Their decision was slated by the Swaziland People ’ s United Democratic Movement (Pudemo), the kingdom ’ s biggest opposition group, and Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN).

The latter has planned a march on the Pirates offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, on Thursday, noting that both PSL giants had failed to reply to its letter imploring them to withdraw from the tournament.

Pudemo said the tournament will “give credibility to a king who sits executive over coldblooded murder and the incarceration of innocent citizens ”.

The democracy groups feel that Chiefs and Pirates will give credence to Mswati ’ s autocratic regime.

It is unfortunate that we don ’ t know the exact details of the tournament and the agreement the Swazi government has entered into with Chiefs and Pirates, if there is any.

The non-disclosure by the two sides about their planned participation has further left the rights groups seething.

Chiefs ’ communications manager Vina Maphosa said this week it was not a done deal that the Phefeni Glamour Boys will compete, despite confirming their participation when the tournament was launched last month.

Bucs ’ administrative officer Floyd Mbele said the club had no comment.

So, we are equally in the dark about what is really going to happen on match day.

But, it would be ridiculous if democracy groups are preventing Chiefs and Pirates from being part of the tournament if it is solely meant for football development in that country.

Swaziland, like many other countries on the continent, are fans of South African elite football and they follow the PSL action religiously.

They look up to our players as inspirational and are keen to learn from them.

We don ’ t see the reason why our players can ’ t go out there and help their neighbours polish their skills if the tournament is purely for the reason stated above – development.

So, we don ’ t see anything untoward about helping fellow aspiring footballers to be better players through coaching clinics and other means.

We hope this King ’ s Super Cup is purely to help further maintain the sympathetic relationship between the two countries football-wise and nothing else.

We hope the parties involved will find common ground for the success of the beautiful game.