Times Of Swaziland: FORMER ‘BIRDS’ STAR,  MNGADI FOUND DEAD

FORMER ‘BIRDS’ STAR,  MNGADI FOUND DEAD
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BY DUMISANI NTIWANE AND KWANELE DLAMINI  on 13/03/2014 01:57:00


MBABANE – Former Moneni Pirates and Mbabane Swallows’ galloping forward
Sipho ‘Yekini’ Mngadi is dead.
The former speedy marksman was found dead yesterday afternoon and his body was
already in a decomposed state. His body was discovered not too far from his
homestead at Mbekelweni. Mngadi was last week declared missing by the Royal
Swaziland Police (RSP) after his family members reported his absence to the
police.
Police Deputy PRO Inspector Khulani Mamba confirmed the grisly find yesterday
and the news that will be sadly received by the deceased’s former teams, in
particular Swallows, where he shot to fame in the mid 1990s.
Mamba said judging by the state of Mngadi’s body, he had been dead for some
days before the gruesome and shocking find yesterday afternoon.
Mngadi will be fondly remembered by the Swallows’ faithful for forging a
lethal and deadly partnership with arguably the most cherished Swallows striker
in Burundian Saidi ‘Chocolate’ Shabani. This was in the 1994 soccer season
when the two players scored over 20 goals between them, as they led the Mbabane
giants to the runners-up slot of the then Castle Lager League. Swallows could
not defend their league that year despite being the most exciting outfit then,
losing to fallen ‘Siteki Maulers’ XI Men In Flight on the last day of the
season. The terrific duo also led the red and white glamour giants to the
runners-up slot of the now defunct BP Cup.
Swallows acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sibusiso Manana expressed shock on
hearing the news that their former player was no more.
“I am so shocked and saddened by what has befallen the Mngadi family. I am at
a loss for words, really. He played for the club and did so with passion and
dedication in the 1990s. We will pray to God to comfort his family and friends
in this sad hour.
“At Mbabane Swallows, we are one big family and an injury to one is an injury
to all. We have lost a valuable member of the team and we will always cherish
the moments we spent with the player. We do hope that God will also give his
grieving family the strength to face tomorrow during this difficult period,”
said a heartbroken Manana.
In his career, Mngadi also played briefly for Moneni Pirates. Before his death,
he was playing for renowned social side, Mhlambanyatsi Social, where he still
entertained fans with his goal-scoring skills. At times he used to play as a
goalkeeper on retirement.