SICK-AS-A-PARROT ‘BIRDS’ IN A FOUR-REST OF AFRICAN SAFARI

Sports Editor
(At the National Stadium)
In Tanzania
Courtesy of Eswatini Mobile

DAR ES SALAAM – Sick-as-a-parrot Mbabane Swallows have experienced some dark days in their African football safari but here at this East African country, the storm clouds returned – literally and metaphorically.

Not only did the Swallows of Mbabane suffer their heaviest away defeat but costly individual mistakes proved to be their main undoing, leaving their chances of advancing to the next round of the prestigious CAF Champions League on a wing and prayer – literally.

Swallows will need to win by at least three goals without conceding, if they are to advance to the next stage on an away goal-rule. Zambia’s Nkana FC or Mozambique’s Uniao Desportiva do Songo, lie in waiting.

Lest we forget, the ‘Beautiful Birds’ have done it before – overturning away defeats against Tanzania’s Azam and Congo Brazzaville’s AC Leopard in the Confederation Cup in 2017 with resounding wins at home. Granted, a lot of water has gone under the bridge and the Swallows of Mbabane is not the same swashbuckling side that did the unthinkable.

Their influential owner, Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze is no more, watching from the Pearly Gates of Heaven, so is former eloquent team Chief Executive Officer Sibusiso Manana. The nucleus of the team in terms of playing personnel, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza, Papy Kabamba, Felix Badenhorst, Pupu Sikhondze, Sanele Mkhweli and Siphamandla Matsenjwa have all moved to other teams.
Below are the FIVE things we learnt from Wednesday’s demoralising 4-1 loss to Simba Sports Club.

SANDANEZWE NEEDS COUNSELLING

For months now, Mbabane Swallows first choice goalkeeper has been having nightmarish games even at national team level, where Sihlangu coach Anthony Mdluli suggested they are grooming him. His challenges now border on psychology imbalance and he needs help SOONEST. His goalkeeping howlers are seriously undermining his obvious talent and he needs to go for counselling. He cannot be a bad goalkeeper over night. Swallows management have to move swiftly and help the talented goal-minder.

NO LEADER AT THE BACK

Swallows lack a leader at the back who can command the defence and ensure it keeps its shape. From the halcyon days of Brian ‘British’ Sibandze, Bhusha Mdluli, Mlungisi ‘Madzala’ Ngubane and lately Mandla Palma, Swallows have always had a leader at the rearguard. They are lacking such a leader now.
SWALLOWS DESPERATELY NEED A STRIKER

If truth be told, the long-term injury to trusted forward, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, coupled with the departure of Kola Aledeon, Swallows have been so blunt upfront they are always taking a knife to a gun-fight these days. With all due respect, Tarawallie Sallieu would struggle to score in a brothel. Sandile Hlatshwako has some good and bad days. Swallows need to get a proven goal-scorer in the lair of Said Shabani or even Ettieneh Massoye.

IT’S POSSIBLE TO OVERCOME SIMBA SC AT HOME

The 4-1 scoreline looks scary whichever way you look at it but it is flattering to the ordinary Tanzanian side, who are not world beaters – far from it. Swallows, in their African safari, have faced big sides with lots of resources and experience. Swallows can overcome Simba Sports Club at home, especially if they can manage to avoid conceding silly goals, which was their Achilles Heel here.

KINNAH PHIRI IS ADDING VALUE TO SWALLOWS

Whosoever came up with the idea to bring on board an experienced gaffer like the former Malawian national team head coach, Kinnah Phiri, took a master-stroke decision. He has added value to Swallows technical bench with a lot of insights on the opposition team. Two heads are clearly better than one.

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