SANGWENI PACKS, LEAVES ‘BULL’ KRAAL

M  BABANE – The marriage between Mbabane Highlanders and former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thamsanqa Sangweni is set to be shorter-than-a-sneeze.

He has spent less than 30 full days in the country, played two official matches for Mbabane Highlanders, but is now on the axe-list.

The former Orlando Pirates and South Africa senior squad, Bafana Bafana, player has absconded from duty as by close of business yesterday, he had not reported back to his new employers, Highlanders. This is despite that all players, but him and fellow South African striker Mandisa Gadla, returned when the club resumed training on Sunday afternoon in Ezulwini.

It has been gathered that this has infuriated the club’s boss in South African businessman and politician, Chief Ally Kgomongwe, to the extent Sangweni is set to lose his job for another former Pirates’ player, only his name is Siphamandla and he is a striker. 

Information from the club is that Sangweni’s absence was expected by some top officials in the club. “He packed up all his bags, left keys hanging by the door and even told us he wasn’t going to return. He had wanted the chairman to hire a car for him to go home for the Christmas holidays, but that did not happen,” confirmed a highly-placed source in the team when asked if it was true, the midfielder who was impressive in his two games with three assists already had demanded a car.

Kgomongwe was called about the player’s matter and his immediate response was that; ‘We are about discipline’ to the point that it did not matter who was affected. He said every player in the club knew his stance about discipline and commitment. “I have been made aware Sangweni and Mandisa have not returned from the holiday break and that is not what I expect from them, but you can talk to Siyabonga about the foreign players. What I know is that we can’t tolerate indiscipline and we still have ‘Sikhwama’ joining us in place of Tokelo Rantie,” he said.

Replace

He said they were ready to replace anyone as there were many quality players from South Africa waiting for the opportunity to play for Highlanders. ‘Sikhwama’ is the nickname of former Baroka FC, Botswana’s Township Rollers and Pretoria Tuks player who arrived in the country about a fortnight ago alongside former Orlando Pirates striker Siphamandla Sangweni and agent France Mpedi.

Impeccable sources in the club said while Sangweni was expected back, if the way he left was anything to go by, the club’s management was preparing a disciplinary hearing for him and Gadla.

“The contracts have been breached and it’s clear what happens in such instances. These players will be taken for a disciplinary hearing and that’s where their fate will be known, but we can’t also hide that we have some players ready to be signed and registered like ‘Sikhwama’, Siphamandla Sangweni and Johnson Mensah,” the club’s assistant coach and physical trainer, Siyabonga Bhembe, responded when reached.

Discipline

He said the two-week break from football was a blessing in disguise for them as they would now have time to sort out the ill-discipline issues and replace people where they should. He said in the end, Highlanders should be a united team with discipline and respect for the kit as it was a big brand in the country’s football, so they would not allow one or two players to ruin everyone else. He insisted their DC will speak out on the next move, but he was certain about replacing anyone they felt was not good for the club.

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Meanwhile, Sangweni has played against Royal Leopard and assisted in the second goal by Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa as they drew 2-2. He also was impressive against Tambankulu Callies especially in the second half, showing the skill that made the big name he is and assisted in both goals with his great link-up play with forwards Kenneth Moloto and Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze after the influential introduction of midfielders Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule and Menzi Mamba.

His absence without official leave follows a series of questionable conduct incidents that the club has had to face including clubbing on his first weekend in the country. No immediate comment could be obtained from Sangweni at the time of compiling this report.  His team was due to face rookies Tinyosi FC this Saturday in the MTN Premier League.

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