Times of Eswatini

Kwakhe signs over 2- year ‘ Birds’ deal

- Mengameli Mabuza

MB A B A N E – A ‘ Yo u n g Buffalo’ has grown wings. Army side Young Buffaloes have lost the services of talented left back Kwakhe Thwala to Mbabane Swallows. The senior national team, Sihlangu, star had reported his former club to the Eswatini Football Associatio­n ( EFA) Player’s Status Committee ( PSC) as he wanted to leave the club and join Swallows before the initial second transfer window deadline last Friday was extended. Thwala won the case and was declared a free agent.

The Mbabane giants acted swiftly to offer him a two- and- a- halfyear contract, which he signed. It is understood that the deal involved a hefty signing- on fee for the player who joined ex- Manzini Wanderers and Sihlangu midfielder Neliswa ‘ Tiger’ Dlamini at the red and white Beautiful Birds in this window. ‘ Tiger’ has already played his debut match against Moneni Pirates and scored one of the two goals. Thwala is expected to make his debut against tricky rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs tomorrow in Nhlangano at the King Sobhuza

II Memorial Stadium. Swallows were beaten in the first round, 2- 1 was the final score.

“Kwakhe is a good player and we are happy to have him at Mbabane Swallows. He signed our contract yesterday and he is now officially our player for two and half seasons,” an impeccable source at Swallows said.

Meanwhile, Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer ( CEO) Sandile Gwebu said Buffaloes would still continue to produce more good players like Thwala.

“Young Buffaloes are known for producing the best developmen­t players and the departure of a player like Kwakhe is no train smash because we will continue producing more players who are better in quality like him. We are not worried about losing him but we are worried of the way he left the team. In life you don’t burn your bridges for you to cross them,’’ he said.

Gwebu went on to say that the manner in which Swallows recruited players lately was wrong, but wished the player well in his future endeavours.

“The way they sign players nowadays is very wrong and in the spirit of fair play, it should not be done. One thing I can say to Kwakhe is that I wish him the best of luck and on a personal level I feel betrayed by what he did because we have raised him here at Buffaloes, but he is still a young player who will learn,” he said while also explaining that Thwala could not have been immediatel­y offered a job in the army ahead of others who came before him, but he was in line.

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 ?? ( Pics: Mengameli Mabuza) ?? Kaizer Chiefs and national team Sihlangu legend Absalom ‘ Scara’ Thindwa stressing a point during the launch of the Scara Thindwa sponsorshi­p from KFC at Mountain View Hotel. ( INSET) Premier League of Eswatini ( PLE) Prosecutor Sibusiso Manda during the disciplina­ry hearing of Mbabane Highlander­s by the Eswatini Football Associatio­n ( EFA) Disciplina­ry Committee at Sigwaca House on Thursday night.
( Pics: Mengameli Mabuza) Kaizer Chiefs and national team Sihlangu legend Absalom ‘ Scara’ Thindwa stressing a point during the launch of the Scara Thindwa sponsorshi­p from KFC at Mountain View Hotel. ( INSET) Premier League of Eswatini ( PLE) Prosecutor Sibusiso Manda during the disciplina­ry hearing of Mbabane Highlander­s by the Eswatini Football Associatio­n ( EFA) Disciplina­ry Committee at Sigwaca House on Thursday night.
 ?? Nimrod Hlophe) ( Pic: ?? Mbabane Swallows new signing Kwakhe Tfwala ( Front R) seating next to Neliswa ‘ Tiger’ Dlamini during the memorial service of Mayibongwe Mthimkhulu yesterday at All Nations Church in Zion in Ezulwini. Kwakhe joined Swallows on a two and a half years contract.
Nimrod Hlophe) ( Pic: Mbabane Swallows new signing Kwakhe Tfwala ( Front R) seating next to Neliswa ‘ Tiger’ Dlamini during the memorial service of Mayibongwe Mthimkhulu yesterday at All Nations Church in Zion in Ezulwini. Kwakhe joined Swallows on a two and a half years contract.

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