MBABANE – Faltering giants Manzini Wanderers scrambled late last night to sign veteran forward Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko before the midnight transfer deadline.
The hub giants view the former Mbabane Swallows talisman, a man with over 15 major trophies to his name, not merely as a reinforcement, but as the dressing-room mentor required to navigate the club out of its current crisis. While the deal was expected to be formalised yesterday, Nhleko’s status as a free agent provides a safety net; technically, he remains eligible to join at any stage regardless of the window’s closure.
Should he put pen to paper, the 44-year-old will join an elite bracket of local legends who defied the biological clock, following in the footsteps of EFA President Peter ‘Samora’ Simelane and the recently released Royal Leopard forward, Mohammed Anas.
The stakes could not be higher. Wanderers currently languish at the foot of the MTN Premier League standings, rooted to the bottom with a dismal seven points from 16 fixtures.
“It is true we are pursuing his services,” confirmed Head of Communications Sandile ‘Ntofo’ Dlamini. “We are highly optimistic. He remains exceptionally fit and his primary role will be to manage the game on the pitch. We need him to guide our younger talents so they can find their rhythm. As they say, experience is not for sale.”
Nhleko’s storied career, which began over two decades ago, has seen him feature for South African outfits Black Leopards, Platinum Stars and Blackburn Rovers. Despite a brief retirement in 2021, his recent stints at Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows and Manzini Sundowns as a player-coach suggest he still possesses the influence to alter a game’s trajectory.
His potential arrival comes against the backdrop of administrative complexity; in August 2025, Nhleko was appointed President of Mbabane Swallows (Pty) Ltd during a turbulent restructuring of the capital city giants. Swallows (Pty) Ltd’s bid to take over the football club failed in court.
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Sihlangu star Mxolisi Mkhonto. (Pic: Vino Snap)