Times Of Swaziland: CLAIMS ‘SAMBA JIVE’, OTHERS TRANSFER-LISTED

CLAIMS ‘SAMBA JIVE’, OTHERS TRANSFER-LISTED
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 02/09/2021 08:40:00


MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows’ much-anticipated transfer list by coach
Christopher Ennin has been leaked.
It is off-season in Eswatini, but the registration window is opened for clubs to
register players and like all football clubs worldwide, there are outgoing
transfers and incomings. The country’s giant side, Mbabane Swallows, are no
exception – it has come out that their transfer list, yet to be decided on by
the club’s President, Archbishop Bheki Lukhele, has had one name on it that is
unsettling the club’s management as most are said to disapprove. The list,
according to our impeccable sources, has among the names, long-serving veteran
Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, who has spent over a decade with the red and
white side. Others said to be on the list are left back Sanele Mkhweli, forward
Simanga Shongwe, who also is among the ‘Invincible’s record achieving team,
former Mbabane Highlanders and national team Sihlangu midfielder Menzi Sithole
and ex-Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows and national team striker, Allen Mabuza.
However, these names are not the real issue but one – and that is former
Moneni Pirates midfielder Nhlanhla ‘Jive’ Nkosi. He was only signed in
November last year after unsuccessful trials in South Africa with Cape Town
City, but saw little game time under coach Ennin. He has a goal under his belt
despite a few minutes played. “That one is causing a problem for the team
officials because they had not expected him especially because he is a young and
talented player who was yet to get his chance at Swallows. Some officials feel
‘Jive’ deserves another chance, instead, one or two of the foreign stars
were expected on the list,” said one of the sources.
Another source said ‘Jive’ was never given a chance yet he was better than
some of the foreigners they have not included on the list. Swallows have
midfielder Emmanuel Nsiah, defender Kingu Pemba from Denver Sundowns, Blandja
Baba-Sediou from Mhlume Peacemakers, defender Kingsley Kwakyi and forward James
Nguluve. The foreign quota is five in the country. None of these are on the list
which has once again allegedly sparked debate over the listed and unlisted.
Interestingly, Swallows’ traditional rivals, Mbabane Highlanders, also had
different views over their own list as some felt it had missing names while two
on it should not have been there at all. Meanwhile, like at Highlanders, the
sources said the list was not final as only Lukhele would make the decision and
he was currently away.
Experience
None of the allegedly transfer-listed stars are currently aware even though two
of them said they had anticipated it. Of these players, ‘Samba Jive’ is the
eldest at 41 years and has vast experience having played for several teams in
South Africa’s top flight and second tier division before returning home to
join Swallows in 2009. He and Simanga were part of the history-making Swallows
locally and internationally when they went two seasons unbeaten and finished in
the group stages of the CAF Confederation Cup and CAF Champions League in the
2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. Nhleko is set to be part of the club’s technical
bench in the new season. Swallows Marketing and Communications Officer Mancoba
Mabuza said they would announce any major changes through a press conference as
they had always done since they had their way of doing things. “Currently, we
are not in a position to announce anything in that regard. We will let you know
the actual move once everything has been finalised,” he responded.