UNE-MANDLA PALMA

EZULWINI – The country’s best is from the ‘Birds’ nest! Mbabane Swallows’ strong defender Mandla Palma yesterday capped a highly fruitful season with the gong for the 2017-18 MTN Premier League season Player of the Year Award.

The Swallows’ defender was crowned during a glittering prize presentation ceremony held at the Royal Villas in Ezulwini last night.
Palma’s performance  in the MTN League was exemplary to many as he led Swallows to their second title in a space of three years, with his crunching tackles that prevented many goals as the ‘Beautiful Birds’ finished the campaign unbeaten.

The defender pocketed a sum of E18 000 for his efforts. He said what was important to him was that his performance contributed to another good year for Swallows. He attributed the award to hard work and dedication, including support from his teammates.

“I believe having worked with people who had won the award before at Swallows made me work harder and focus on achieving the same feat. It means a lot to win this award as a defender, because it shows that our work on the pitch is being recognised,” he said. Palma paid tribute to his coaches and the management at Swallows for having afforded him the chance to represent the team. He acknowledged that without Swallows and his teammates, he would have not won the award.

“I did not expect to win the award but it feels good to be appreciated after so many years in the Premier League. I hope this will encourage many other defenders to work hard because it is clear now that any player has a chance to win this award,” he said. He urged Swallows’ fans to continue supporting the team as their aim as players was to make them happy for years to come.

Mbabane Swallows’ General Manager (CEO) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane said this was a culmination of hard work by both the player and the team. He said Swallows would continue to aim high and work even harder. “Congratulations to Palma for being the league’s best player for 2018.

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