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MBABANE - Mbabane Swallows have since announced their official squad selection for the current 2022/2023 season.
Led by Archbishop Bheki Lukhele, their target this season will be winning the league title, after having finished the previous campaign in third place, with four points behind eventual champions Royal Leopard. The squad is made up of 23 players who are led by the ever-present Tony ‘TT’Tsabedze (38). Tsabedze will be dancing and dazzling for the last time this season after announcing that he would be officially hanging up his boots at the end of the current campaign.
A noticeable absentia in the overall technical team is Ettien Massoye, who has been with the Mbabane giants for over a decade. Last season he was the goalkeeper coach. We take a look at some of the key players who will be tasked with bringing success on the pitch for the ‘Beautiful Birds’ who have not won a league title since 2017/2018.
SOME KEY PLAYERS PROFILES
MOHAMAD KABIA (19): A 19-year-old central defensive midfielder – a position Swallows desperately needed improvement in given the departure of Njabulo Ndlovu, who left to join security forces side Green Mamba. The mercurial midfielder finished last season in excellent form for Denver Sundowns and has fit like a glove in the galacticos of Swallows stars and was rewarded with a call-up to the Sierra Leone Under-23 squad. The youngster comes in highly recommended and considering his current form, Kabia may prove to be one of the best bits of business done by Swallows. LEON MANYISA (23): He is one of the best and highly-rated youngsters in the football corridors who has had it tough at the ‘Birds’ and will be looking to prove his worth with his contract expiring next year. ‘Chuster’, as he is fondly known, has close to 50 appearnces for Swallows after having signed on the dotted line on July 7, 2020 from fierce rivals Manzini Wanderers. Manyisa has already started two games for the club and will need to work hard in training to get a regular berth and help Swallows be on top again. Reached for comment, Manyisa said he wanted to work hard so that he can be considered for accolades like Premier League Player of the Month and even Player of the Year. “I want to push extra hard to maintain being in the national team and as a club we want to win trophies and bring back glory days for the Mbabane Swallows supporters.”
SWALLOWS 2022/23 SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Qiniso Nyawo, Sandanezwe Mathabela, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza
Defenders: Siphosethu Mabilisa, Thabo Vilakati, Sifiso Mabila (Assistant Captain), Kingsley Kwakyi, Kingu Pemba, Triston Pemba, Midfielders, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Felix Badenhorst, Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko (Assistant Captain), Leon ‘Schuster’ Manyisa, Mohamed Kabia, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze (Captain)
Strikers: Bashir Mutanda, Sandile Hlatjwako , Ayanda Gadlela, Muziwakhe Hleta, James Nguluve
TECHNICAL BENCH
Head Coach – Musa Manyatsi
Assistant Coach – Siyabonga Bhembe
Trainer – Maxwell Ramalho
Doctor – Samkeliso Mdluli
Doctor – Jabulani Dlamini
Kit Manager – Isaac Dlamini