Home | Sports | ‘BIRDS’, NSINGIZINI, SA ‘BIRDS’, NSINGIZINI, SA ’DOWNS FOR E2M TOURNEY

‘BIRDS’, NSINGIZINI, SA ‘BIRDS’, NSINGIZINI, SA ’DOWNS FOR E2M TOURNEY

19/05/2023 06:44:00 Nimrod Hlophe

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MBABANE – A lucrative pre-season tournament involving some local and South Africa (SA) DStv Premiership giants is on the cards.

A well-informed source has revealed that the tournament is expected to be played in SA, in July. Mbabane Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs are the only local teams earmarked for the one-day tournament. Mamelodi Sundowns and Amazulu are the DStv Premiership sides set to face the local duo.
Over the years, it has been a norm for local teams to cross the border for their pre-season training in the neighbouring country. Mbabane Highlanders, last season, had a chain of practice matches with the likes of Sundowns and Marumo Gallants ahead of their CAF Confederation Cup’s campaign.

According to the well-informed source, an SA businessman, who is keen on succeeding Archbishop Bheki Lukhele as the team’s Director, will be the sole sponsor. “Swallows are expected to participate in two major pre-season tournaments. It is the ‘big four’ tournament and another E2 million worth pre-season tournament in the neighbouring country. The businessman wants to see the team before taking over,” the source alleged.

President

Capital city giants’ President Archbishop Lukhele was reported to have served the Umkhonto KaShaka with a letter terminating his five-year deal. The All Nations Church in Zion founder cited personal reasons for his exit at the end of the recently-ended 2022/2023 football season. The season ended last Sunday. The source played his cards close to the chest in terms of revealing the possible prize breakdown of the tournament. Furthermore, the tournament is also expected to be used as a platform to assess some big names from both camps of the local sides.

“It’s not only the teams that will be featured who have developed some keen interests in a few local players. Among those targeted are Kwakhe Tfwala, Leon Manyisa as well as Thubelihle Mavuso,” the source noted. Notably, Tfwala was once reported to be on TS Galaxy’s radar earlier this year when he switched camps from Young Buffaloes to ‘Birds’. Earlier on this week, the publication also reported another DStv Premiership side Richards Bay to be closing in on MTN League champions Green Mamba’s Mxolisi Mkhonto.

Currently, the only liSwati plying his trade in SA is former Denver Sundowns’s Justice Figuareido. He is with SA National First Division side Cape Town All Stars. Meanwhile, Swallows General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane was not available for comment on the issue.
Nsingizini Hotspurs Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mnotfo Dlamini, when sought for comment on this tournament, said they were still to receive a formal communication on it. In March 2022, Nsingizini signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Amazulu. The partnership was said to be on sharing of technical, tactical expertise, programmes, players and friendly matches between the parties.