BIG BEND TRAINING CAMP FOR ‘BIRDS

MBABANE – They are now setting the pace for others to follow.

Mbabane Swallows are moving into top gear in as far as player recruitment is concerned, after unveiling two more exciting new signees into their already expensively-assembled squad. 

As exclusively revealed by our sister publication Times of Eswatini earlier in the week, ‘Pupu’ is now officially in the ‘Birds’ nest now. This was after he was unveiled together with former Moneni Pirates defender Thabo Vilakati yesterday at the club’s offices in Mbabane. 

Swallows have beaten their sworn rivals Mbabane Highlanders to the signature of Sikhondze, who not-so-long ago was pictured with Chief Ally Kgomongwe in Ezulwini. 

agreed personal terms

This was after it was reported that he had agreed personal terms with Highlanders’ South African boss, but has since decided that his heart is red and white after signing a two-year contract with the red side of the capital city. It was also confirmed that Vilakati has also signed for the same number of years with Swallows.

Both have already started training with Swallows under their new Ghanaian mentor Christopher Ennin, who also came on board some few weeks ago.

intensive training

Independent investigations by this publication revealed that Swallows are preparing to go for a two-week intensive training camp in the usually hot Big Bend as part of their pre-season preparations, even though this was officially not confirmed by the team’s Marketing and Communications Manager Mancoba Mabuza yesterday.  

Unveiling the two new players was Swallows Governor Andreas Lukhele, who asserted that they entered into two-year deals with them.

“We are a team with big ambitions and we believe that these players will help us achieve our goal of winning trophies and playing internationally like in CAF interclub competitions. We welcome them to the team and are trying to strengthen the team as we are preparing for the season to start,” he said.

‘Pupu’ thanked the team for allowing him to come back home. Sikhondze will be linking up with his former teammate at relegated GladAfrica Championship side Mbombela United, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, who was unveiled last month. 

met the coach

“I am already feeling at home as I have trained with the team and met the coach. He is so professional and I believe that we will produce something special as a team this season. There are good players at Swallows and I will have to fight for a place in the team,” he admitted.

The talented former South Africa’s Polokwane City play-maker pointed out that as a football player, there is always a need to weigh all offers on the table before deciding on the best one.

“Highlanders offered me a contract but we never signed anything and we were still in discussion until now. You take offers and weigh them before taking the one you are comfortable with,” he said. Vilakati, on the other hand, said he was happy to join a big club like Swallows.

“I thank God for leading me to here. I would like to thank my former team Moneni Pirates for giving me the chance of playing football and allowing me to join Swallows. Swallows showed faith in me that I can contribute positively and it won’t be an easy challenge but I am ready for it,” he declared confidently.

continued support

Swallows’ General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2 000’ Zwane thanked the club’s President Archbishop Bheki Lukhele for his continued support.

Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders have defied all odds in signing players as they have been busy during the current transfer window period. The two teams have already started their pre-season training and ironically, the proposed opening MTN Premier League fixtures pits them in the traditional Mbabane derby. The proposed new date for the new season kickoff is December 12.

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