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MaMkhize gets green light to run Mbabane Highlanders

Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, former owner of Royal AM

South African businessman Alfred ‘Ally’ Kgomongwe has officially transferred ownership of the Eswatini Premiership team Mbabane Highlanders to Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize, bringing an end to the ongoing ownership dispute.

There was confusion over the ownership of the club, casting a shadow over MaMkhize’s ownership of the club.

The Durban-based businesswoman returns to football administration after her Royal AM was expelled from the Betway Premiership last season due to a tax debt. Kgomongwe, who also manages Botswana’s Extension Gunners, confirmed he had finally signed over the Eswatini giant to MaMkhize.

He stated that the confusion has been resolved, as he has entrusted the businesswoman with the authority to manage the team starting this season.

“I can tell you now that MaMkhize will be in charge of Mbabane Highlanders from this season. As I have said before, there are no two owners of Mbabane Highlanders FC. I am the rightful owner, and I have signed the team over to MaMkhize, and she will now agree with the patrons and elders of the club on how long she will run it,” Kgomongwe said.

Mbabane Highlanders players in Royal AM kit
Mbabane Highlanders. Picture by the club

“The Swaziland Football Association and the Premier Soccer League of Eswatini [PLE] will now be able to register the players ahead of the coming season,” Kgomongwe said.

KGOMONGWE EXPRESSES RELIEF AS MAMKHIZE TAKES FULL CONTROL OF HIGHLANDERS

Kgomongwe expressed relief that the saga has finally concluded, as it was jeopardising his position with the Botswana team, Extension Gunners.

“This was weighing heavily on my other football team because it made me look like a dishonest person. I am a businessman, and I have to run everything in an honest way. Now that Mbabane Highlanders FC has been handed over to MaMkhize, we can concentrate on the other team and other businesses. I am just happy this is over now,” he added.

Meanwhile, Highlanders FC PRO Lington Gule confirmed the development, adding they would focus on an upcoming knockout tournament.

“There is a knockout tournament the club has to focus on and get ready for,” Gule said.

RELATED STORY: Mbabane Highlanders ownership saga casts shadow on MaMkhize’s deal