PAPY, ‘PUPU’ BOOST FOR ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE – True to their word that not one of their players will leave for a local team, Mbabane Swallows’ Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) star midfielder Papy Tshimbimbi is back with the club along with Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.

The duo returned just on time for Sunday’s crunch Swazi Telecom Charity Cup tournament whereby Swallows start against bitter rivals Manzini Wanderers in the second semis billed for 11am. The first semi final will feature Mbabane Highlanders against Royal Leopard at 9am at Somhlolo National Stadium.

Papy and Pupu both missed the club’s preseason friendly matches against South Africa’s Black Leopards last Friday and Sunday. As for Papy, he had not been with the club since it started its preseason training three weeks ago while Pupu was among those given a break after the national team Sihlangu’s COSAFA Cup exploits.

However, he had prolonged his break as he only rejoined the club yesterday, training in the morning but watched from the sidelines in the afternoon. It is only recent that the club’s boss Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze who was found having a word with Pupu at the training ground, said none of their players would join local teams unless they were released by them.

“Papy knows his contract with us and we were not worried at all. He is back wherever he was after all he is a contracted player at Swallows. Pupu has a groin injury but he trained in the morning,” the team’s CEO Sibusiso Manana explained.

He said Swallows would be bringing a full team to the Charity Cup with every player belonging to them available. He also did not hide the fact that they would also be having a couple of new signees including former Manzini Wanderers’ midfielder Mthokozisi Nkambule.

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