‘BULL’, ‘BIRDS’ FANS DIVIDED OVER SPRINTER SALE

MBABANE – The football season might be suspended but the off-the-field rivalry battle between the capital city giants has intensified.

This follows the acquisition of former Mbabane Swallows trainer, coach Siyabonga Bhembe by Mbabane Highlanders. Bhembe was last year unveiled by Bishop Bheki Lukhele as the new assistant coach/trainer, but few weeks later he joined Mbabane Highlanders. 

As if that was not enough, the ‘Black Bull’ signed former Swallows top striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa and Sibonginkhosi ‘Gudas’ Dlamini. The bus, which was bought by Highlanders, was also a thorn to some Swallows fans. 

However despite all the off-the-field rivalry, some Swallows fans feel, Highlanders just envy them while some ‘Bull’ fans say it is now proven that Ally has more money than the Swallows boss. 

witnessed

The other interesting fact about the rivalry was witnessed when Swallows said they would cut February salaries by 25 per cent while Highlanders said they would pay full salaries and add E80 000 on top of their salaries in the form of food parcels. Gugu Tsabedze, who is a big Swallows supporter, admitted it really hurt her seeing key members of Swallows’ family joining Highlanders.

rivalry

“I feel bad that we are losing the rivalry battle against Highlanders. We lost our player Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, and then Siyabonga Bhembe, those were true Swallows material but they were taken by Highlanders. It really pains us as Swallows fans. Well on the bus, I did not careless because the bus did not belong to us anymore, we had our own new bus,” she said.

She highlighted that during Victor Gamedze’s time, that would not have happened. Meanwhile, Swallows supporter Ntombi Mkhulandle said it was stressing them seeing Ally do as he pleases while Swallows management were merely watching.

“Since the sprinter did not belong to us, I was not very much concerned, but it pained me seeing Siyabonga Bhembe and Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa joining Highlanders. The way it happened, especially the Siyabonga deal, just when we were celebrating his return, Highlanders snatched him. Ally is destroying our team, our management must not let him do as he please, they should improve players’ offers or the technical bench especially when they are wanted by Highlanders,” she said.

envying

Swallows fan Sanele Dlamini said Highlanders were envying Swallows.

“I think Highlanders take Swallows as their role model.”

Mbabane Highlanders supporter Siboniso ‘Remix’ Maseko said all this had proven that Ally Kgomongwe has more money than the Swallows boss.

“They could have increased their offers when Siyabonga Bhembe wanted to leave. We also snatched ‘Gudas’ and Sikhali under their nose, and all the players are well paid at Highlanders. The great Ally is here to bring all the good times, we can’t wait for the derby, I am sure we will beat them and win the league,” he said.

He also said buying the bus was not about it being new or old, but it was to prove a point that as Highlanders they can have anything they want as Ally always say that money is not a problem.

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