Times Of Swaziland: ‘GENERAL’, 9 NEW PLAYERS FOR MONENI PIRATES

‘GENERAL’, 9 NEW PLAYERS FOR MONENI PIRATES
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BY SANELE JELE on 17/01/2021 00:17:00


MANZINI – Fasa Bhakaniya! Elite league side Moneni Pirates have just
re-strengthened after losing most of their key players to rival teams this
season. They have not only signed and registered 10 new players, but also
acquired themselves a new director in Zimbabwean businessman Advocate Nqobizitha
Mlilo.
After losing right back and vice captain Mthunzi Motsa to Manzini Wanderers,
Siphosethu ‘Mjovo’ Mlotsa to Mbabane Highlanders and midfielder Nhlanhla
‘Jive’ Nkosi to Mbabane Swallows as well as striker Fabrice Mopina to
Wanderers also, they signed a few transfers from their city rivals too. However,
the interesting part is that among their new signings, which were are all
registered after last Friday’s deadline day, there is Mxolisi ‘General’
Lukhele, their former star midfielder before he joined Royal Leopard. On top of
Lukhele’s return, they also have the gifted former Mbabane Highlanders winger
last season, Phumlani Ngwenya, who is owned by Green Mamba. Ngwenya is a match
winner on a good day as proven while at Highlanders.
The other signings are Green Mamba under-20 duo Malibongwe Malinga and Msimisi
Vilakati, who were registered on deadline day while they have also captured
enterprising young winger Mfanzile ‘Fash’ Mdluli from Swallows under-20s,
midfielders Mphumuzo Sangweni from Nsuka United and Manzini Fairview
under-20’s Mlungisi ‘Mluga’ Shabangu.
Pirates also beefed up their striking force with Bhekani Mthembu from Rail
United, while Lizwe Zwane, who was linked with a move to MTN League champions
Young Buffaloes, was registered at the eleventh hour by Pirates.
Pirates Public Relations Officer (PRO) Mhlonishwa Motsa confirmed that the team
beefed up its squad.
“Moneni Pirates Football Club is a big team with big ambitions and therefore
we do not just sign anyone anyhow but each and every player must have a special
‘Pirates DNA’ to be registered with us. We choose carefully, hence we do not
just do it like the other teams do; we wait, assess, then sign. The players we
signed last Friday will add into our squad and we do not doubt they will add
valuable contribution,” said Motsa.
Motsa added that the technical bench led by one of the best development coaches,
Ernest Mavuso and Julius Chakupewa had been mandated to build a competing team,
therefore such a pool and choice of players will complement the mandate given by
the new Director and Advocate Nqobizitha Mlilo.
Moneni Pirates unveiled Mlilo a month ago and he promised supporters that things
would change in the team. Other major signings elsewhere are Malanti Chiefs
striker Thokozani Dlamini joining Leopard while Green Mamba have laid off
striker Phinda ‘Phindrix’ Dlamini.
Meanwhile, Mbabane Highlanders have finally registered Johnson Mensah from
Manzini Wanderers and former Baroka FC forward Tshepo ‘Sikhwama’ Matete.
This was confirmed by Chief Ally Kgomongwe yesterday. Milling Hotspurs boosted
their squad with the signature of former Denver Sundowns and Peacemakers player,
Effa Yartel, while Peacemakers signed three Ghanaians being Sekeh Kwashie, Karim
Madja and Moses.
They also managed to get players from Sierra Leon in Tore Gode, Mohammed Kabia
and Serry Issa while also adding Mohamed Kabia from Sierra Leone and Igor Podghi
from Mozambique.
Malanti Chiefs are reported to have secured the services of a new striker from
Mozambique in Felisberto Antonio Bocuane.