Andile Mpisane signs for ‘Bull’

By Chris Dlamini

He is the club Chairman and a player officially.

That is South African businesswoman Shauwn ‘MaMkhize’ Mkhize’s son Andile Mpisane. Despite his mother earlier saying she did not think he would want to play football again,

Mpisane has defied that and has been part of the team’s preseason training in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa (SA) in the past month.

“We saw our weaknesses in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup and decided to go back to SA to build our team. We have some new players from local elite teams and foreigners as well.

“We have former Ezulwini United goalkeeper Innocent Adja from Ghana, Siboniso Shiba (Green Mamba), Ishmael from Celtics, Linda Nkambule (Madlenya), Sisekelo Maseko (goalkeeper from Royal Leopard), Siphiwe Cele and Vukani Ngcobo both from Royal AM among others,” confirmed Highlanders’ patron and acting Public Relations Officer (PRO) Charles ‘Ace’ Jele on Monday.

Jele said they were still looking at adding more quality from giant teams in the country before the first transfer window closes on October 10, following its extension from September 27.

This publication has it in good authority that Highlanders is chasing three top names from two local rivals.

“We hope to have our foreigners ready for the league but I must admit we got their affirmations quite late and two of them have no passports yet we need them for work permits,” explained Jele.

He would not want to commit himself to their availability or none thereof for the league opener against reigning champions Nsingizini Hotspurs should the league kick off this weekend.

Meanwhile, Highlanders is now under the leadership of Mkhize and her son, Mpisane who will double up as a player in midfield.

They have already changed a few things to accommodate their takeover, like the team’s traditional black and white kit to black and gold, and added AM to Mbabane Highlanders, making it Mbabane Highlanders AM FC.

However, they are yet to get the name-change done after it was found they submitted their application late.

The Eswatini Football Association (EFA) is yet to confirm and announce if this wish is granted or they would have to wait until next season.