By Sibusiso Masilela
There is a new sheriff in town. This is none other than Ezulwini United Boss Polycarp Dlamini, who is the new Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman.
The former Sihlangu manager was elevated to the hot seat after beating Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo by 23 votes.
He previously served as an executive member in the outgoing executive committee led by Mark Carmicheal. Nxumalo got four votes during the top-flight football entity elective Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Saturday at Sigwaca House.
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The hot seat became a two-horse race after former Chairman Mark Carmicheal withdrew from the race with Charles Matsebula and Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba.
Matsebula and Mamba contested in the new Chairman position where Mamba emerged victorious with 23 votes. Matsebula came second with two votes while Victor Rodrigues got one vote.
The executive member saw the elections of three executive members in Manzini Wanderers board of Governor Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli, Sicelo Mkhonta and Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo.
Mdluli and Mkhonta previously served as executive members under the leadership of Peter ‘Touch’ Magagula. Mkhonta also worked with the late Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze.
Nxumalo won after round two by beating Victor Rodrigues by 14 votes while the latter got 12. Matsebula, Rodrigues and Juluka Gamedze did not retain their seats as executive members. The new Chairman said he was ready to serve the organisation diligently.
“I am humbled by my election as the Chairman and we will work towards improving the sport with the entire executive committee. We appeal for unity from the entire football fraternity to take the sport to the next level,” he said.
The organisation is yet to co-opt two additional executive members ahead of their four-year new term of office.
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The elections were conducted by the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Ethics Committee led by Magistrate Siphosini Dlamini, who thanked the board of Governors for ensuring that the elections were run smoothly.
The new PLE executive committee
Chairman- Polycarp Dlamini
Vice Chairman – Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba
Executive members
Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli
Sicelo Mkhonta
Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo
The elections results
Chairman
Polycarp Dlamini 23 votes
Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo 4 votes
Vice Chairman
Sithembiso ‘Ngudze’ Mamba 23 votes
Victor Rodrigues 1 vote.
Charles Matsebula 2 votes.
Executive members
Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli 17 votes
Sicelo Mkhonta 19 votes
Sibusiso ‘Scorpion’ Nxumalo 14 votes
Charles Matsebula 5 votes
Victor Rodriguez 12 votes
