MBABANE – MTN Premier League Champions Green Mamba players and technical bench will be smiling all the way to the bank.
According to reliable sources, the players and officials got what was due to them on Saturday and they were happy with their share. The reliable source asserted that the players received between E7 000 and E10 000, depending on their contracts. Officials, including the head Coach Ernest Mavuso, also received their share and according to the source, the Correctional Services outfit was negotiating to shelve the head coach share as he was supposed to receive 10 per cent of the prize money.
entitled
The MTN Premier League prize money was E1 million. This means Mavuso was entitled to get at least E100 000. The sources alleged that he would not get that for now since the team will be preparing for the CAF Champions League expenses. They still need to pay the stadium cost, which is close to E100 000, and they need funding for travelling around Africa if they advance past the first preliminary round. The players and technical bench will reportedly share close to E300 000, according to the source. News coming from the side’s camp was that the players and technical bench were happy with their share and were motivated ahead of the CAF Champions League, which is billed for the week of August 18. They will play UD Songo of Mozambique.
unsuccessful
Efforts to get a comment from Green Mamba Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mandla Sibiya were unsuccessful as he could not be reached immediately. Meanwhile, some players and officials, on condition of anonymity, confirmed they received their share and they were happy with it. Inyoka Eluhlazana beat strong contenders Young Buffaloes to the MTN Premier League title to book a spot in the CAF Champions League. It was not an easy road from the start of the season but they persevered and consistency also played a key role in them winning the league. While everyone from management to technical bench and players played a key role in the successful league campaing, one can not overlook their mentor Mavuso, who the previous season, was fired 10 games unbeaten by Mbabane Highlanders. Another name that pops up is that of midfielder and their Captain Mxolisi Mkhonto, who was on fire this season.
Both Mkhonto and Mavuso were named Player and Coach of the season, respectively, following their outstanding input in the country’s elite league.