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Ex- SA Black Leopards' 'Nonon' in Birds nest

18/07/2012 00:00:00 NTOKOZO MAGONGO

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(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

LOBAMBA – Mbabane Swallows are on the verge of making their biggest catch ahead of the new season by signing former South Africa’s Black Leopards’ central defender, Mayasisilua ‘Nonon’ Lubanzadio.

The Congolese player started training with the ‘Birds’ on Monday. He is one of the players who will be unveiled during the Mbombela Super Cup where Swallows play Orlando Pirates in the first semi-final at 1pm.

The player was training with Swallows at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday ahead of their departure for Nelspruit, Mpumalanga today.

The 28-year-old player won South Africa’s National First Division with Black Leopards in the 2009/ 10 season when they were promoted to the Absa Premiership. He also played for TP Mazembe in 2006 before joining Black Leopards in South Africa. The player was playing for Glendene United where he did not renew his contract at the end of the season. He is a former teammate of ex-Swazi international, Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini at ‘Lidoda Duvha’.

The player has 28 caps with the DR Congo National team and 15 caps with the national under-23.

Swallows CEO, Sibusiso Manana, said they were waiting for the technical team to confirm a list of players they needed this season then they will start negotiations with the player’s agent. "The player is currently with us and it will be the coach who determines who to sign. For now they are being assessed. There are a lot of players who are trying out their luck with the club and if they impress then we will sign them," he said.

Swallows have also boosted their goalkeeping department with Sibusiso Shongwe who comes from Sivutsa Stars.

The player’s agent Charles Eebonda said he was ready for negotiations with Swallows on the player’s clearance. He said the player was good and experienced. Eebonda said there were other teams that have shown interest in the player in South Africa.

"He is a good player. Our doors are open for Mbabane Swallows to start negotiating as there are other teams which are interested in his services even though I cannot name them at this point," he said.