Home | Sports | NEW TWIST IN TOP PLAYER TRANSFER SAGA: ‘PUPU’ BACK AT ‘BIRDS’, STOPPED FROM TRAINING

NEW TWIST IN TOP PLAYER TRANSFER SAGA: ‘PUPU’ BACK AT ‘BIRDS’, STOPPED FROM TRAINING

30/09/2023 07:42:00 Mengameli Mabuza

Font size:

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows attacking midfielder Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze has reportedly withdrawn his resignation from the club.

The skilful former Manzini Wanderers player tendered his resignation letter last month, after citing lack of game time under Coach, Caleb Ngwenya and the team he won over 21 trophies with. He even took Swallows to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Player’s Status Committee (PSC) seeking to be handed his clearance. However, he lost the case after both parties made their submissions before the Sipho Matse-chaired PSC.
It has since been established that there seems to be a change of heart after strong links with Umkhonto KaShaka’s traditional rivals, Mbabane Highlanders who have even come out to declare they were ready to assist the former South Africa’s Polokwane City star appeal his matter and take it to FIFA and CAF if push comes to shove.

However, that may not be necessary after all if the latest claims are anything to go by. “Pupu has since written a letter to the club this week (Thursday) to withdraw his resignation where he states he wants to leave the club. The player has apologised and he now wants to fight for his spot in the club,” the source shared. The source went on to reveal that the Umkhonto KaShaka fan favourite returned to the training ground of the club in Ezulwini ready to train but was later told not to return with the club hierarchy set to discuss his future next week. It is understood Swallows have also invited Highlanders’ Managing Director (MD) to the round table with the intention to discuss Pupu’s transfer to the black and white side.

“The player showed up in Ezulwini on Wednesday where he had a chat with the coach and he was told not to attend training the following day. The club will sit down next week and discuss the player’s future. We were left disappointed with what he did as a senior player,” the source added.
Pupu also confirmed the news. “I want to stay in the club and fight for my position. My intention was always getting a new challenge but my love for the club has never been in question like I had said earlier. I love Mbabane Swallows and I sincerely ask for forgiveness from those associated with the team,” he responded when questioned about the latest.

Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge Ngwenya could only affirm the news as well. “We got Pupu’s letter withdrawing the resignation from the club. The authorities of the team will discuss the matter on Monday. A decision will then be taken regarding the future of the player in the club,” he said.

This comes in the wake of reports most recently by the local media that he had signed a contract with Highlanders. He was also close to joining them in the 2029/21 season but only his brother Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze signed for the black and white ensemble. He currently has a running contract with Swallows until May 30 next year but had also cited a breach of same when he went to the PSC as he claimed he was a balance of E40 000 in signing-on fee. Meanwhile, Highlanders Kgomongwe has said ‘if Pupu wants to join us, he will but if he doesn’t, it’s still okay we’ll always keep looking for other players as good as him’.