‘Birds’ register Felix, to face Leopard
MBABANE – Former TS Galaxy and Eswatini international Felix Badenhorst is all cleared to don the red and white kit of Mbabane Swallows again.
He is a registered Swallows player for the 2021/22 domestic football season. Following his return from South Africa’s DStv Premiership side, TS Galaxy, before the end of last season, he signed a two-year contract with Umkhonto KaShaka as Swallows are also fondly known, but could not be registered as even the second window period’s deadline had passed.
In the midst of that, it was further discovered by this publication that he had signed another contract with South Africa’s GladAfrica Championship team TS Sporting, This saw Swallows having to negotiate and reach an agreement with TS Sporting to have his contract nullified. A player risks ban or suspension if he is found to have signed for two teams in one season as per the Mbabane Highlanders and national team Sihlangu striker Sabelo ‘Sikhali’
Ndzinisa 2019/20 season’s case while at Mbombela United. The player was banned for two years while his club was docked 23 points and further relegated from the GladAfrica Championship. However, his two-year ban was found to be effective in South African football only and he signed for Highlanders.
Swallows parted ways with a sum of E70 000 to have the Badenhorst contract with the TS sporting nullified.
“Felix will play, depending on the coach’s plans for the game. New signings at Swallows are announced through press conference or press release,” Swallows Marketing and Communications Officer Manqoba Mabuza responded when questioned about the midfielder and new signings.
Meanwhile, this will be Badenhorst’s third debut for Swallows as he first joined them when he returned from South Africa’s Jomo Cosmos, again when he came from Congo’s AS Vita before this return, now from TS Galaxy. Swallows open the season against defending champions in the MTN League, Royal Leopard, expectedly this weekend after a last minute cancellation of fixtures last week by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE).