Moneni Pirates F.C.
| Full name | Moneni Pirates Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Buccaneers/Bhakajuju | ||
| Founded | 16 September 1967 | ||
| Ground |
Mavuso Stadium Manzini, Swaziland | ||
| Capacity | 8 000 | ||
| Chairman | Mr. December Mavimbela | ||
| Manager | Mr. Christopher Khoza | ||
| League | Swazi Premier League | ||
| 2013-2014 | 10 | ||
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Moneni Pirates FC is a Swazi soccer club based in Manzini. They play in the top division in Swazi football.[1]
The team plays in white and black colors.
The club was established by one, Mr. Ngungunyane Matsenjwa, with an aim of bringing together youths of the dusty Moneni township in the outskirts of Manzini. It can be said that God inspired Mr. Matsenjwa's steps towards establishing the club, as at the time he was a player for a then popular giant in Swaziland, Green Sea Bombers FC. With the blessings from Green Sea Bombers management, Mr. Matsenjwa established what would become a very popular club that would live beyond his expectations.
Prior to the club being taken over by Mr. Matsenjwa, it was known as The Blue Birds Football Club. In 1967, the club's name changed to Moneni Pirates FC, on inspiration by Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates. It must be mentioned that a lot of clubs in Swaziland are named after popular clubs in South Africa. This is more so because Swazi football fans follow a club in South Africa, and the local clubs look to export talent to the more professional South Africa's Premier Soccer League.
Over the years, the club has produced great players that have graced Swazi football, which include, but not limited to Dumisa Mahlalela (RIP), Sylvester Thwala (RIP), Christopher "Tototo" Khoza, Thulani "Solomane Bayeza" Hlanze, Sibusiso "Magiya" Hlanze, Johannes "Disco" Lukhele, Boy Boy Nyembe, Bhanyaza Jele, Justice Manyatsi, Pat Ntuli, Sanele "Cyclone" Gina, Mandla "Toy" Manzini, Mbongiseni "Bashin" Dlamini, and others.
The club has been relegated from the highest league in Swaziland twice in its history - in the 1998/1999 and the 2005/06 seasons. Those were the darkest years and periods in the club's history. On its return to the Premier League from the National First Division in 2009/10 season, the club won the one-day Swazi Telecom Charity tournament; which is the Premier League of Swaziland's annual season opener. The club has also won the 2015 Swazi Bank Cup, where three players that remain from the 2009 triumph were part of the team. These players are Menzi "Magawugawu" Simelane, Ndumiso "Masetha" Dlamini and Sifiso "Gogo" Magagula.
The current crop of players are slowly but surely engraving themselves into the good books of the club's history. Key among these players are Bongani "Ngci" Ndzimandze (born and bred in Moneni; coming through the structures of the club and the Moneni Community League), Menzi "Magawugawu" Simelane, Ndumiso "Masetha" Dlamini, Sifiso "Gogo" Magagula, Xolani Ngwenya, Mfanzile "Fash" Ndzimandze, Cedric "Cheese" Gulwa, captain Mncedisi Dlamini, Thabiso Gumbi, Khanyakwezwe Shabalala, Phila "Sir Jones" Dlamini, Makhosi Mthethwa, Sibonelo Dlamini, Mlingo Jele, Reagan Charles, to name but a few.
Stadium
Currently the team plays at the 8 000 capacity Mavuso Stadium in Manzini.
Performance in Caf competitions
- 1989 African Cup Winners' Cup:first round
Honors
- Swazi Bank Cup: 2015
- Swazi Telecom Charity Cup: 2009
- Trade Fair Cup: 2001
- Inyatsi Top-8: 1995
- BP Cup: 1992
- Interboard (Trade Fair) Cup: 1992
- BP Cup: 1989
Managers
- Happy Simfukwe (2014/15)
- Golding Dube (2014/15 - released from contract during the First Round)
- Van Rooyen Magagula (2013/14)
- Zenzele Dlamini (2005/06, 2012/13 - last 5 games; 2013/14 - first round & 2014/15 - Assistant Coach from January 2015)
- Harries Bulunga (2012/13 - left with 5 games to go to join the Swaziland National team)
- Dumisa Mahlalela (2003, 2006/07 & 2011/12) (May his soul rest in peace)
- Mlamuli Zwane (2008/09 - 2010/11)
- Sipho Sibandze (2002/03 - 2003/04)
- Christopher Khoza (1999/2000 & 2001/2002)
- David Botsotso" Manyatsi (2000/01)
- Jan Simulambo (1998/99)
- Mandla Dlamini (1997/98)
- Nino Mahel (1996/97)
Chairmen
- Mr December Mavimbela (2014 - Present)
- Mr Thulani Hlanze (2010 - 2014)
- Mr Sipho Matse (2008 - 2010)
- Mr Zakhele Dlamini (2006 - 2008)
- Mr Bhekisisa Zwane (2000 - 2006)
- Mr George Motsa (1997 - 2000)
- Mr John Maziya (1991 - 1997)
- Mr Desmond Oswin (1986 - 1991)
- Mr Mathokoza Mtsetfwa (1985 - 1986)
- Mr Ngununyane Matsenjwa (1967 - 1985)
References
External links
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