‘BIRDS’ OFFICIAL WANTS ‘GUDAS’S TRACKSUIT

MBABANE – The top flight season begins in just about three weeks in Eswatini but the preseason has been active with the rivalry between Mbabane Highlanders and Mbabane Swallows playing itself out.

These are two sides that have dominated the transfer market ahead of the 2020/21 season set to begin on December 12. Some players have crossed the rubicon as Highlanders signed gifted midfielder Sibonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini and Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze as well as Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and only came just as close to signing even Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, who ended up rejoining Swallows.

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It has transpired that Highlanders cannot register the player (‘Gudas’) currently as they do not have his paperwork from Swallows.

“I have contacted Swallows to hand me the boy’s paperwork, which is his clearance among other things. However, the response was not one I expected as the official I was referred to told me point blank that the boy must first bring back the team’s merchandise in the form of a tracksuit he used or received from them before his papers can be released,” his father and manager, Mhlaba ‘Chester’ Dlamini, who is also an ardent Swallows fan, claimed yesterday.

Dlamini said that given the way the red and white side parted ways with the player (contract termination) just a few months into the COVID-19 pandemic football break, he had thought it would not be any trouble to get those papers.

“Nonetheless, we’ve been advised to do as Swallows have asked and return the merchandise which the player has also agreed to. We believe the matter will be resolved amicably as these are two big teams in the country but it is final that Gudas will return whatever he must,” he explained.

contract

Dlamini’s son signed a one-year contract with Highlanders and expects to make his official debut when the season starts early next month. He further said he was yet to approach other senior officials at Swallows. 

Highlanders’ patron and director Chief Ally Kgomongwe’s representative in the country Benson Dlamini said he was not yet aware of the matter. However, it was confirmed later that it was discussed before their afternoon training yesterday.

Swallows’ Marketing and Communications Manager Manqoba Mabuza sounded surprised at these developments.

“Swallows cannot do that. We are a professional club and once the right procedure has been followed we cannot frustrate the career of a player. He must come to the office and get help,” he said.

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