According to reports, Moneni Pirates, the club recently linked with embattled Royal AM owner Shauwn Mkhize, is currently on the lookout for new investors. Here's a look!
The Story
Royal AM boss Shauwn Mkhize, popularly known as MaMkhize, sparked widespread speculation last week after she was spotted in Eswatini attending a local football match with her entourage.
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Images and videos of her appearance quickly circulated, leading to rumours that she may be exploring the possibility of acquiring a football club outside South Africa, where she is currently entangled in major tax issues.
Her club, Royal AM (nicknamed Thwihli Thwahla), was recently placed under curatorship by the South African Revenue Service. Despite bids being submitted to purchase the club, no deal has yet been finalised.
However, it has since been reported that Moneni Pirates are not for sale. According to Sunday World, Mkhize's visit was purely social—she had been invited by her friend Thulani Xaba to help boost the team's profile within the Kingdom of Eswatini.
“Pirates is a team from Moneni, a township in Manzini, the second-biggest city in Eswatini,” a source close to the club told Sunday World.
“The team has been around since 1967. It’s one of the biggest clubs after Manzini Wanderers, Mbabane Highlanders, and Mbabane Swallows.
“They’ve been relegated twice to the first division but are now under the leadership of Xaba, who’s working to restore the club’s former glory. Reaching last week’s final was part of that promise to the fans.
“Shauwn Mkhize is a friend of Xaba. She was invited to watch the final and arrived wearing Pirates regalia. There’s nothing official about a takeover.”
The source also added that while the club is not for sale, Mkhize could potentially invest.
“Xaba is clear that Pirates is not for sale. But behind the scenes, MaMkhize could end up buying a stake in the club, as they are currently seeking investors.”
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