Moneni Pirates FC is a
Eswatinii soccer club based in
Manzini Manzini may refer to:
*Manzini, Eswatini, a town in the Manzini Region of Eswatini
*Manzini Region, a region of Eswatini
*Manzini (surname), an Italian surname
See also
*Roman Catholic Diocese of Manzini
The Diocese of Manzini ( la, Manzinien(si ...
. They play in the top division in Swazi football.
The team plays in white and black colors.
History
The club was established by Ngungunyane Matsenjwa, with an aim of bringing together youths of Moneni township in the outskirts of Manzini.
The late Matsenjwa left behind his widow Catherine Sibanyoni - Matsenjwa, His Children, Nomusa Matsenjwa, Vuyisile Matsenjwa ( Now late), Futhi Matsenjwa, Dudu Matsenjwa, Nkanyezi Matsenjwa - Nzima, Thulisile Matsenjwa, Gelane Matsenjwa, and Zweli Matsenjwa.
He also left behind his grandchildren Sindile Magagula - Gumede, Majaha Mkhatjwa and Siphilele Nzima.
Prior to the club being taken over by Matsenjwa, it was known as The Blue Birds Football Club. In 1967, the club's name changed to Moneni Pirates FC, inspired by Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates. A lot of clubs in Eswatini are named after popular clubs in South Africa. This is because Swazi football fans follow clubs in South Africa, and the local clubs look to export talent to the more professional
Premier Soccer League
Premier is a title for the head of government in central governments, state governments and local governments of some countries. A second in command to a premier is designated as a deputy premier.
A premier will normally be a head of governm ...
.
The club has been relegated from the highest league in then-Swaziland three times in its history – in the 1998–1999, the 2005–06 seasons and the 2014–15 season. It quickly regained promotion in the elite league on all three occasions of relegation, with the latest happening through a 2nd position finish in the National First Division in the 2016/16 season. It finished the first round of the 2016/17 season in a mid-table position of the Premier League, after it finished the round strongly following a slow start in the league.
In the current season, 2019/20 season, the club has been a revelation, resulting in football pundits comparing it to its yesteryears. At the time of COVID-19 lockdown, the Club was placed in position 4 of the MTN League, with a fighting shot to finish 2nd. Time will tell on whether the League will result and finish.
Current squad
Stadium
Currently the team plays at the 8,000 capacity
Mavuso Stadium
King Mswati II (Born:1820–Died:1868), also known as Mswati and Mavuso III, was the king of Swaziland, king of Eswatini between 1850 and 1868. He was also the eponym of Eswatini. Mswati is considered to be one of the greatest fighting kings of E ...
in Manzini.
Performance in Caf competitions
*
1989 African Cup Winners' Cup
The 1989 season of the African Cup Winners' Cup football club tournament was won by Al Merreikh in two-legged final victory against Bendel United F.C. This was the fifteenth season that the tournament took place for the winners of each African coun ...
: 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
* Gcina Dlamini (2019/20)
* Zenzele Dlamini (2016/17)
* Mlamuli Zwane (2015/16 & 2016/17)
* Happy Simfukwe (2014/15)
* Golding Dube (2014/15)
* 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)
*
Dumisa Mahlalela (2003, 2006/07 & 2011/12)
* 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
Jani Liabwa Simulambo (born 9 November 1953) is a former Zambian footballer and coach. Nicknamed ''Be Good,'' Simulambo had an outstanding career and played at the heart of Zambia’s midfield for close to ten years, representing the country at ...
(1998/99)
* Mandla Dlamini (1997/98)
* Nino Mahel (1996/97)
Chairmen
* Osborne Nzima (2018 – Present)
* December Mavimbela (2014 – 2017)
* Thulani Hlanze (2010 - 2014)
* Sipho Matse (2008 - 2010)
* Zakhele Dlamini (2006 - 2008)
* Bhekisisa Zwane (2000 - 2006)
* George Motsa (1997 - 2000)
* John Maziya (1991 - 1997)
* Desmond Oswin (1986 - 1991)
* Mathokoza Mtsetfwa (1985 - 1986)
* Ngununyane Matsenjwa (1967 - 1985)
References
External links
SoccerwayWeltfussball
(archive.org)
Football clubs in Eswatini
{{Eswatini-footyclub-stub