Mbabane: After seven roller coaster years at Manzini Wanderers, Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya has officially left the club.
In a lengthy statement to the club supporters, the team’s former captain said in part that his biggest regret was not winning a major trophy with the club despite coming close on a few occasions. ‘Shana’, signed from Mhlambanyatsi Rovers and a former Sihlangu international mutually agreed with Wanderers to end his club career.
With ‘Shana’, Wanderers were defeated by Moneni Pirates in the 2016 Eswatini Bank Cup and also lost another final in the form of the 2019 Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup among other times the hub giants came close to silverware.
“I take comfort in knowing that I gave it everything, every single game, on and off the field. I always put the brand first and wanted to protect it at all costs. Captaining the team is my proudest moment of my football career thus far,” he said.
He continued to convey his heartfelt appreciation to all Wanderers people for the love and support.
“In all these seven years, I have learnt so much. The good and not so good moments contributed to the man I am today and I will always be grateful for this experience.”
“I have worked with a lot of different management structures, going back to those who recruited me from Mhlambanyatsi Rovers. I am so grateful to have learnt a lot from them, and to enjoy a great working relationship of mutual respect and trust.
I made brothers and lifetime friends with most of the players I had a privilege of working with. We survived the hard moments together and enjoyed the good ones as a family. I consider myself quite blessed to have impacted and also been impacted by the different personalities I had the pleasure to work with.
I thank you for the brotherhood and support during my long tenure as your captain.”
The center back turned defensive midfielder adds also that he is very proud of everybody who put positive light on the brand and those who make sure that whenever one thinks of Manzini Wanderers they think of it as a prestigious entity.
He also rubbished reports that his departure was because of salary demands not being met.
“I also wanted to clarify that it is not true that my leaving had anything to do with unmet financial demands on my end. I request that those mandated to convey the information provide truthful information about what transpired.
I have been with this team through some of its most difficult moments and I was not only willing to stick it out, but I sacrificed the little I had to share with others until the situation normalized. Playing for this team has never been about the pay or what it offered, but about love of the team and I know this was true for many players even if the pay was their only source of income.
That said, I believe that the technical team has a clear vision and strategy for the year and the future of the team so we need to support them and hope that it will be a good year for the team,” he said.
He lastly reiterated his sincere gratitude to the entire Wanderers family from the Patron, the supporters, different leaders or management structures and the players for having been part of his family in the last seven years.
“Wishing nothing but the very best to the team in its endeavors. If there is one thing I have learnt is, everything always works together for good for those who trust in him. God Bless Manzini Wanderers,” the Mhlatane High School product and Business Information Technology Degree holder said.
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