Pupu’ frustrated at ‘Birds – reports

MBABANE - Skilful Mbabane Swallows midfielder Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze is reportedly unhappy at the capital city giants, after falling behind in the pecking order.

The ex-South Africa’s Polokwane City has always been a regular player for the club in the past years but the arrival of Head Coach Caleb Ngwenya has seen him regularly on the bench. Youngsters Leon ‘Chuster’ Manyisa, Kabia Mohammed and Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini are some of the preferred players ahead of ‘Pupu’ in the star-studded Swallows midfield position.

Ngwenya, who has brought back the hope of playing in Africa for the club, has not included Pupu in the starting line-up in any of the Mbabane Swallows matches the gaffer has been in charge of since being appointed in the club last year on December 29, 2022. The former Green Mamba coach’s first game in the red and white outfit was against Manzini Wanderers in what was a titanic fixture and the dribbling wizard was not part of the 2-0 Swallows win.

Action

“Pupu hasn’t seen much action on the field for Swallows and the player’s lack of game time at Swallows has caused some unhappiness at the camp. The midfielder is considering a move away from the team at the end of the season,” alleged a well-informed insider.

The team’s General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, when contacted, dismissed the possible exit claims and said the player was pushed by people, who wanted to destabilise the club since they were doing very well at the moment.

“Banele Sikhondze is a key member of Mbabane Swallows and has been working hard in training and waiting for his chance to play like all other players .The player has been in training and there is nothing like him wanting to leave.

“Pupu is in Caleb’s plans for the future and we have a long-term contract with him,” he said.

The general manager went on to say that the player was not in the match day squad in last Saturday’s Swallows win over Madlenya because he had complained of a stomach bug that had been troubling him leading to the game. “Pupu was not there on Saturday against Madlenya for two days and the club doctors have been attending him. The player is now fine and will be in line to make the match day squad against Manzini Wanderers,” he said.

Mbabane Swallows next have a MTN Premier League assignment against fierce rivals Manzini Wanderers this weekend.