BIG 3 CHASE ‘PUPU’, ‘D4D’

MBABANE – They are players in demand.

A toe-to-toe battle has ensued among some local premier league giants over the services of former Mbombela United pair of Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu and Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. 

It has been gathered through reliable sources close to both players that there is a high chance they could both end up playing in the local premier league next season. 

It must be noted though that the agent of both players is still hoping to clinch a deal for them either in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) or national first division in South Africa in the new season.  

The duo, along with others who were in the books of Mbombela United, were recently given free clearances by the team’s boss, Oupa Matsebula, through WhatsApp messages and it could not be immediately ascertained if they had received their latest salaries at the time of compiling this report yesterday afternoon.

Locally, ‘Pupu’ and ‘D4D’ are believed to have attracted the interests of Mbabane Highlanders, Manzini Wanderers and Mbabane Swallows. 

Reports are filtering through that Highlanders are so far leading the race to sign the two players and could have them signing on the dotted line as early as tomorrow. 

Offer

The capital city giants are believed to have made a firm offer to both players and hope to seal the deal tomorrow. However, Swallows are reportedly lurking menacingly behind, and are said to have started primary talks with the players. It promises to be a battle of wits in the race to land the signatures of these players as Wanderers are refusing to be left out. 

According to sources at the Hub giants, Wanderers are hoping that the new director from South Africa will open his cheque book to lure ‘Pupu,’ who is their prime target, among others. 

The three local giants are already planning ahead of the new season with Swallows and Highlanders very active in the transfer market in recent weeks after unveiling new signings. 

Worth noting is that ‘D4D’ and ‘Pupu’ were playing for Swallows in the country before moving to Mbombela United. 

They were part of the Swallows side that hoisted the country’s flag some few years ago during the CAF Champions League, where the red and white glamour giants reached the group stages.    

When sought for comment, Highlanders’ top official, Benson Dlamini, who is representing the team’s boss Ally Kgomongwe in the country, did not want to commit himself to the reports linking them with the two players. 

Aware

“To be honest, I am not aware of these reports (‘Pupu’ and ‘D4D’ interest) even though they are both good players and would obviously add value to the team. 

“Nothing has been communicated to me by the MD in that regard and, besides, it is hard to sign players now, because the date of the resumption of football is still everybody’s guess at the moment. If there is something of that sort, I am sure the MD will let us know,” Dlamini said. 

Attempts were made to get hold of Kgomongwe but his cellphone rang unanswered.

Swallows’ Marketing and Communications Manager Mancoba Mabuza said their recruitment plans were not for public consumption.  “I have never seen a team advertising the names of players they want to sign. 

“The procedure is that the team only reveals players once they have signed them. That will only happen when the team has identified the player as ideal for signing and engaged their teams.

“Once that has been finalised, the players will then be made public,” he said. 

Meanwhile, ‘Pupu’ said he was currently at home relaxing and not thinking about football.  

‘D4D’ and Wanderers’ Chairman Bongani ‘Bhanyaza’ Mdluli could not be reached for comment at the time of compiling this report yesterday.

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