Times Of Swaziland: TOUGH COMPETITION FOR ‘TIGER’ AT BIRDS

TOUGH COMPETITION FOR ‘TIGER’ AT BIRDS
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Mengameli Mabuza on 06/02/2023 08:23:00


MBABANE – A tiger is powerful, dynamic and tough.
These are some of the characteristics of a tiger, which is an animal that is
regarded as one of the most amazing creatures on the planet. Former Manzini
Wanderers and new Mbabane Swallows marquee signing possesses similar traits. The
Times Sports Desk looks at the Mbabane Swallows squad depth in the middle of the
park and highlights players who ‘Tiger’ will be competing with. Players he
would compete with at Swallows are:
Felix Badernhorst
The MTN leading scorer is Mbabane Swallows most lethal injection this season
with 11 league goals after just 14 league games. Badernhorst is the first name
that comes on the team list of Caleb  Ngwenya technical team and the arrival of
‘Tiger’ at Swallows won’t affect him.
Banele Sikhondze
Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze is a very skilful player with a heart of a lion.
When he is on form, he is an ace. Dedicated, diminutive and digging many local
teams with his splitting passes.
Papi Sikhondze
Players  like him are called roots. Roots are mostly invisible, not understood
by many, yet they give sustenance and support for all plants. Just like roots,
Papi does the biggest spade work.
He protects Swallows defence, cuts attack from opposition, starts attacks
through winning balls.
Nhlanhla Ngwenya
He was signed from Ludzeludze Killers in the 2019/2020 season and Ngwenya has
been getting more minutes into his game this season. Often used on the Swallows
wings , he had moments of brilliance whenever he was given a chance to play. Has
started two of the three games  in the  MTN Premier League.
Leon Manyisa
‘Chuster’, as he is fondly known, is a true definition of a modern day
midfield maestros. The player has been a shadow of himself at Swallows and is
yet to show why Swallows signed him. The arrival of a ‘tiger’ at Swallows
should make one realise that he needs to work and win the supporter’s faith in
him again. On his day, he possesses traits of being one player who any team can
love to have in the MTN league.
Sizolwethu Shabalala
Forgotten star player ‘Nunu’ has only featured once in this season MTN
Premier League  and since then has been recovering from an abdomen operation,
which he did shortly after scoring in his first goal of the season against Young
Buffalos. The enterprising winger will be affected by ‘Tiger’s presence
because the former Wanderers midfielder can also play as a winger.
Conclusion
The signing of a player like the attacking midfielder at the Caleb Ngwenya-led
side is definitely good news for the Swallows supporters and for the coach who
is known to have a soft spot for younger players. The player gives Swallows
coach Ngwenya more offensive options in the final third for the Birds.
‘Tiger’ is a versatile player who can play in the box to box role, which was
played by Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze in Swallows’ last game last week against
Seven Dreams. The player gives Swallows choices also on the wings where Ayanda
Gadlela has been playing regularly.