Eswatini club Mbabane Highlanders AM has moved swiftly to deny reports that its chairman, Andile Mpisane, has retired as a player at the age of 24.
Reports in Eswatini claim that Mpisane had officially retired after making a few appearances for the club.
Mpisane and his mother, Shauwn Mkhize, took over the running of Highlanders in August last year after their club, Royal AM, was expelled from the Premier Soccer League. He had made only four senior appearances for Royal AM.
The club has since refuted the reports. However, they confirmed that he was temporarily deregistered as a player to make space in the Mbabane squad for a foreign player
MBABANE HIGHLANDERS DENIES REPORTS THAT ITS CHAIRMAN HAS RETIRED AS A PLAYER
“Mbabane Highlanders AM has taken note of widespread reports circulating in the media suggesting that Andile Mpisane, who also serves as the club’s Chairman, has retired from professional football,” Highlanders said in a statement on Saturday.
“The Club wishes to categorically clarify that these reports are incorrect. Andile Mpisane has not retired. Following the injury sustained earlier this season, the Club has received a detailed medical prognosis advising that he should only resume full training no earlier than April 2026. By that stage, the current competitive season would be nearing its conclusion.”
CLUB CONFIRM THAT ANDILE MPISANE DEREGISTRED TO CREATE FOREIGN SPACE
“In light of this medical guidance, and after careful consideration of the Club’s immediate sporting objectives and available regulatory options, management resolved to deregister Andile for the remainder of the current season.”
“This decision was taken to create space within the Club’s foreign player quota, allowing for the registration of a player who can contribute immediately as the team pushes toward its targets for the season.
“Andile remains an active player, and his situation will be reviewed ahead of the next campaign. The Club remains hopeful that, following a full recovery, he will be in a position to return to the playing squad in the future.”
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