‘Sawa’ headlines deadline transfers

MBABANE – With the final transfer widow curtain having fallen at midnight, Mbabane Highlanders’ longest serving player has walked out of the ‘Bulls’ kraal for greener pastures.

Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze has left the capital city giants to Manzini where he was confirmed to have joined Manzini Sea Birds. The talented midfielder spent more than a decade at Highlanders.

Sea Birds, through their Public Relations Officer (PRO) Thami Cebe, confirmed the acquisition of the player although denying revealing the details of the deal.

Boosts

“He boast so many attributes that made him suitable for us. He is a disciplined and experienced player who can perform any role inside the field of play. He is going to boost us because it was such a player of his calibre we lacked in the team,” Cebe said.

‘Sawa’s move reunites him with his former teammate Ndumiso ‘Tower’ Ndaba, who joined Sea Birds at the beginning of the season. He also followed in the footsteps of Mahlalini Chief, Mdokwane, popularly known as Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze within the football circles. After so many years of loyalty at Bull, Sibandze joined Sea Birds before his ‘forced’ retirement last year.

Gamedze’s exit was already anticipated after he did not get sufficient game time this season. He will not be available for selection on Sunday when they welcome Manzini Wanderers at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium, according to Cebe. He said at the time when he was called for comment yesterday around lunchtime, he was the only player added to their squad.

Comment

Meanwhile, Highlanders when drawn for comment on the departure of Gamedze begged not to comment on the matter. Their PRO Kenneth Dlamini requested to comment after they had confirmed an official list of new signings and those put on transfers pending the registration of players that was still ongoing yesterday when he was contacted.

Worth noting is that the second window period turned out to be dramatic as there were players’ movements which required the intervention of Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Players Status Committee (PSA).

(Pic: Mengameli Mabuza) Former Mbabane Highlanders player Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze, who has left Highlanders to join Manzini Sea Birds. The player was surprisingly representing Highlanders during yesterday’s pre-match briefing held at Sigwaca House.