MKHONTO KA-CASH!

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

LOBAMBA – It was raining money for the Zambia-bound Mbabane Swallows players at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday morning.

Each player was given E5 000 by the team in appreciation of Sunday’s historic 2-0 win over Zambia’s 12-time champions, Nkana FC, in the first of the double-legged Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League encounter that was played at Somhlolo National Stadium.

The players were given the money by the team’s business friends soon after their morning training session at the national stadium. Four businessmen; A Chinese national, an Indian and two prominent Swazi businessmen united to splash over E100 000 to the team’s players and the technical bench.

Swallows, acting Chief Executive Officer Sibusiso Manana confirmed the team’s partners’ hefty incentives to the players and was quick to state that they were indebted for the kind gesture of the team’s friends.“I can confirm that each player at Mbabane Swallows received E5 000 as winning allowance after they managed to beat Nkana on Sunday.”

 Unfortunately, our business friends did not want to have their identities revealed to the public. This is just a token from them after the team’s win. We are proud as a team that our efforts have not gone unnoticed but have touched a lot of people.

“Unfortunately, our business friends did not want to have their identities revealed to the public. This is just a token from them after the team’s win. We are proud as a team that our efforts have not gone unnoticed but have touched a lot of people.

“Others could be wondering why we did not channel the money to other expenses related to the Champions League campaign. Unfortunately, we could not do that because the people behind such an idea insisted that they wanted to direct their incentive to the players so that they (players) could benefit directly. This is exactly what we have done,” said Manana.  
Meanwhile, some of the team’s players confirmed the latest development. Team skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze said the spirit in camp was high.

“However, the right people to comment on the incentives are the team’s officials. As players we are happy with what management has given us. Winning the game on Sunday was just a huge motivation on its own and we are delighted to have represented the nation well,” he said.

Another of the team’s players, speaking on condition of anonymity said they were extremely happy with the team’s gesture. “We really did not expect such, more especially because we have just been paid our salaries. It is a great motivation to us all as players. We can also feel the nation’s support and we will do our best not to disappoint in Zambia,” he said.
Another of the team’ senior players said they were at a loss for words to thank the team’s authorities for handing them the money. “This will go a long way because it is a very painful experience to travel to another country without any pocket money.

“Moreover, some of us have families and they will be happy with what we have received. This is much better because even though I now and again travel with Sihlangu, such rarely happens. We are so fortunate,” he said.
Nkana have not lost to a Swazi team in the competition in over 30 years.
Swallows leave the country for South Africa today. They will connect a flight to Zambia from the OR International Airport on Thursady.

“Others could be wondering why we did not channel the money to other expenses related to the Champions League campaign. Unfortunately, we could not do that because the people behind such an idea insisted that they wanted to direct their incentive to the players so that they (players) could benefit directly. This is exactly what we have done,” said Manana.  

Meanwhile, some of the team’s players confirmed the latest development. Team skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze said the spirit in camp was high.
“However, the right people to comment on the incentives are the team’s officials. As players we are happy with what management has given us. Winning the game on Sunday was just a huge motivation on its own and we are delighted to have represented the nation well,” he said.

Another of the team’s players, speaking on condition of anonymity said they were extremely happy with the team’s gesture.
“We really did not expect such, more especially because we have just been paid our salaries. It is a great motivation to us all as players. We can also feel the nation’ support and we will do our best not to disappoint in Zambia,” he said.

Another of the team’ senior players said they were at a loss for words to thank the team’s authorities for handing them the money.
“This will go a long way because it is a very painful experience to travel to another country without any pocket money. Moreover, some of us have families and they will be happy with what we have received. This is much better because even though I now and again travel with Sihlangu, such rarely happens. We are so fortunate,” he said.

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