Times Of Swaziland: ‘Pupu’ a ‘Bird’ by  morning, ‘Weslian’ by noon

‘Pupu’ a ‘Bird’ by  morning, ‘Weslian’ by noon
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 20/08/2013 02:12:00


MBABANE – He is certainly the country’s most controversial player in the
elite league – that is Manzini Wanderers’ talented midfielder Banele
‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.
Just when our sister publication, the Times Sunday reported that the team’s
Director Mduduzi ‘Tsotsi’ Mabila told supporters last Saturday during a
meeting that the player was officially back with the club after apologising and
recommitting, he yesterday turned up at bitter-rivals Mbabane Swallows’
morning training session.
He trained with the rest of the present players who included Mike Mohammed,
Darren Christie and Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe among others. However, he
tried to duck when journalists arrived at the training ground for pictures and
an interview before eventually giving up.
After saying he would still be with Swallows in the afternoon session, he then
showed up for Wanderers at Somhlolo National Stadium where the hub giants flexed
their muscles against Midas Mbabane City.
At Swallows’ training, he was asked about his appearance there and reluctantly
gave a comment. “I can’t say much about it now as I’m yet with Swallows
then we’ll take it from there but I will be around even in the afternoon
session,” he said.
Asked about Wanderers’ stance that he has recommitted himself to the club, he
said Wanderers got his resignation letter otherwise he would not be training
with Swallows. However, his Wanderers’ boss Mabila gave another side of the
story.
“He had resigned but withdrew his resignation. My only comment about him
turning up at Swallows’ training is that ‘Pupu’ is here as we speak.
He’s on the bench as for now and he hasn’t indicated anything with us,”
Mabila said when called at about 6.15pm.
He said it was news to him that ‘Pupu’ was training with Swallows in the
morning hence he emphasised that the player was at Somhlolo wearing their jersey
as a substitute in a practice match against City.
Swallows acting CEO Sibusiso Manana, when called, said he was aware the player
trained with them but promised to call back but he did not.
Several calls were made to him but the phone rang unanswered with the last
attempt made at 6.37pm.