EX-FA CEO MAKHANYA JOINS ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows have appointed seasoned administrator and former FA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Kenneth Makhanya to their sponsorship committee.

The two-member committee also includes former Premier League of Swaziland (PLS) Executive Committee member and scribe Celani Shongwe. It has been mandated to seek sponsorship for the CAF Champions’ League group stages side currently second in Group D to Tunisian giants Etoil du Sahel, only on goals scored. The two clubs are tied at four points in two games. The club General Manager, Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, disclosed yesterday that the duo has been tasked with scouting for sponsors that would meet the capital city giants’ aspirations in conquering Africa. He said a persons of Makhanya’s calibre would be vital in their quest to not just maintain the heights they were currently scaling, but to take them to greater heights.

“Makhanya has been to Mamelodi Sundowns and Black Leopards in South Africa. We felt that we should cash in on his experience as a seasoned administrator of the game of football. The level we are competing at in Africa demands that we fully embrace professionalism. He is the right person to lead us to that direction,” he said. He said playing in Africa was a costly exercise that demanded fund-raising strategies and that the committee had been tasked with seeking potential sponsors locally and beyond the borders. “We will be meeting to get feedback on how far they have gone regarding seeking sponsorships that could take the club to the next level. He is also expected to instill the culture of professionalism among all stakeholders in the club, from players and management. We expect him to workshop players and officials so that we can all adapt to the dynamism of the game.

At this stage we need to embrace professional people in all the management spheres, not just to appoint Sandile only on the basis that he is a die-hard fan of Mbabane Swallows. Times have changed,” he said. Makhanya said it was still early for him to comment now, referring comments to the club. He said until they have finalised everything in writing, he would not be in a position to disclose further on the matter. However, a source close to the deal disclosed that a verbal agreement was reached tying down the former FA CEO and the team. “Swallows were due to meet over the weekend to finalise the written agreement with the Sponsorship Committee which will spell out their mandate.”
It further disclosed that Makhanya is currently running a consultancy company with Shongwe where they are assisting a number of teams in terms of setting up proper structures, and securing sponsorship.

Route

“This is the same route that Swallows want to follow, but the partnership could only be launched once both parties have signed on the dotted line.” Makhanya is expected to assist lay down the foundation for professionalism which the club has undertaken to embrace. His vast experience in football administration from his days at the helm of the Eswatini Football Association (EFA), South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns and Black Leopards, would come in handy for the Beautiful Birds, desire to swim not only upstream, but with the sharks in continental football.

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