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MBABANE – It seems Green Mamba will be the team to watch in the new season, if their signings are anything to go by.
Barely a few days after signing Sihlangu and former Mbabane Highlanders marksman Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, Green Mamba have made another big catch. The Ernest Mavuso-led ensemble are said to have signed Mbabane Swallows’ industrious midfielder Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu.
Move
Well-informed insiders in both camps (Swallows and Green Mamba) confirmed the move, saying the player started training with the green and white ensemble yesterday.
Finer details of the move that include the length of the contract were scanty by late yesterday.
The player, it was gathered, had verbally agreed to extend his contract with Swallows for another two years before the unexpected developments. His contract had expired at the end of the past season.
However, at the time of compiling this report at around 6:30pm, Green Mamba CEO Mandla Sibiya expectedly downplayed the reports. It was reliably gathered that Green Mamba were expected to make an official announcement today.
Notably, before the signing early yesterday, one of the senior officials at Swallows in Member of Parliament (MP) Robert Magongo had informed this publication that the forces teams were ‘poaching’ their players, screaming unfair competition.
Agreement Independent
“They (forces team) shouldn’t recruit from the independent teams and we maintain that they should form their own league,” he said.
Swallows General Manager Sandile Zwane had referred comments to Magongo and also could not disclose the player(s) he was referring to.
‘D4D’s name had become synonymous with Swallows after spending over five seasons with the capital city giants. Back in 2018, he had left Swallows for defunct South Africa’s National First Division side Mbombela United, before a return about two years later.
On top of ‘D4D’, Green Mamba have also been heavily linked with Highlanders and Sihlangu defender Peter Dlamini, but Highlanders say they are yet to learn about the latest developments. Full-back Sanele Mkhweli, who left Highlanders recently, is also linked with the outfit.
Meanwhile, also busy in the transfer market yesterday was Royal Leopard, who completed the signing of Moneni Pirates enterprising winger Mphumuzo Sangweni.
Desk contacted Makhanya on the latest development on the issue of the Trade Fair Cup, to which he disclosed that negotiations were at an advanced stage.
“Negotiations are at an advanced stage, meaning that the sponsorship is almost in the bag, but T’s must be crossed before we can launch it,” Makhanya said.
He also said the sponsors of the tournament would be revealed on the day of the competition launch, as this was the agreement between the two parties.
Some of the elite league team’s public relations officers (PROs) were excited on the prospect of having the Trade Fair Cup back this year.
Mbabane Highlanders PRO Mandla Madonsela said this was one of the best news in the history of local football in recent years.
“This is good news indeed for us as teams. These types of tournaments are good as they boost our coffers and help the players to reach top form. We really appreciate what the PLE is doing,” Madonsela said.
He urged the PLE to continue scouting for more sponsors as this would help in the development of the standard of the sport and improve Sihlangu’s performance.
Young Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandile Gwebu also welcomed the news and said this was good thing for the teams as it would bring more competition for the clubs.
Meanwhile, Green Mamba CEO Mandla Sibiya said they were happy as a team to learn that the Trade Fair Cup was back as this would help them to not concentrate on the league games only.