Sprinter Renew Swords of Rivalry Between the Mbabane Giants

The acquisition of ex-Mbabane Swallows sprinter by arch-rivals Mbabane Highlanders has renewed the rivalry contracts between these two traditional football rivals. On Tuesday, Mbabane Highlanders boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe was the highest bidder when the 22- seater Mercedes Benz which was repossessed by Eswatini Bank shortly after the death of staunch Mbabane Swallows boss Victor Maradona Gamedze died in 2018.

Quite interesting is that this Mbabane Swallows boss Bheki Lukhele was part of the bidders but came short as he put E350 000 while Kgomogwe put E355 000. So this successful acquisition of the former Mbabane Swallows sprinters by their rivals has teased hostile debates among social media, dividing the it into hostile camps with some fans of the view that Kgomogwe is moneyed than Lukhele.

This debate has been fuelled by fact that Mbabane Swallows has slashed its players’ salaries with 25% while Mbabane Highlanders players’ salaries remain untouched over this period of the partial lockdown. The battle however started playing itself in actual sense back in the pre-season. This was when most ex-Mbabane Swallows stars signed in the black dotted line.

One of this which even today does not sit well with the Red and White ensemble fans is their former physical trainer Siyabonga Bhembe who upon returning from coaching relegated South African Mvela National First Division Mbombela United had a short stay at Mbabane Swallows like a sneeze and joined Mbabane Highlanders.

Sabelo Sikhali Ndzinisa who also had been banned for two years by SAFA in playing football after found guilty of signing for TS Sporting and Mbombela United in last season came resurfaced in Mbabane Swallows. Mbabane Highlanders appealed Ndzinisa’s case and he was eligible to play by the beginning of this local season in December last year.

Another Mbabane Swallows’ stars who don the Black and White outfit are Xolani Papi Sikhondze from Mozambique’s side XXXX and midfielder Sibonginkhosi Gudas Dlamini. All these levelled against Mbabane Swallows leadership where they were unable to secure the service of their ex-players has left the Mbabane Swallows fans burning with indignation as their last meeting with Mbabane Highlanders, they were lose that game.

The only alternative left out to for Swallows to convince its fans is to let the Bulls’ head roll when they cross swords on week 9 of the MTN Premier League fixture. So far there is nothing convincing that that can make Swallows fans certain that their team will be able to turn tables when the day commeth judging by the sub-standard performance of the Birds. The Birds are position 10 in the log with a single point while Mbabane Highlanders are number five with 4 points. Swallows after the two games played so far played a goalless draw with holding Champions of the league Young Buffaloes in the opener of the league and then lose 2-1 to Manzini Wanderers.