‘MANYOVU’ BACK AT LEOPARD

MBABANE – It is a timely boost for Eswatini TotalEnergies CAF Champions League envoys Royal Leopard.

This follows the return of speedy forward Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini, from his top Angolan side, Sagrada Esperance. The player’s return to Leopard came after him and the team did not agree terms, which led to the termination of his two-year-contract. Manyovu joined the Angolan side in January from the police ensemble. His return was confirmed by Ingwe Mabalabala’s Manager Richard ‘Danka’ Fakudze yesterday.

Reunite

“Yes, it is true that ‘Manyovu’ will reunite with Leopard. The player and the team did not agree terms as per the two-year contract which was penned earlier this year,” said Fakudze.
 Sources claimed that the Angolan side did not pay the speedy winger his full signing-on fees. The Sports Desk was also made to understand that they only paid half of the E300 000 to Leopard. Asked on the allegations, the Manager did not dwell much on it but said they were happy to have the player back. “We are happy as Leopard. He came at the right time when we needed his experience in the CAF Champions League. So it was a blessing in disguise for us,” he said. When asked if they would be able to register him as CAF registration closes tomorrow, he said they were not be sure when  the player would arrive in the country, but was quick to assure the team’s fans that he would register with the team for the CAF Champions League.

Contract

When asked about what would happen to his job as a police officer, Fakudze said they had sorted that out, as he left to join the team on a two-year contract. “His move to Angola was done in such a manner that he was given a leave. When his contract elapsed, he would come back to join the police force as he was hired in 2018,” he said. He also said they had one-year remaining in the deal with Angolan side. Efforts to get comments from Sagrada proved futile as when the team’s only source, the then Captain Joseph Femi did not respond to texts that were sent to him. Further efforts to get comments from ‘Manyovu’ proved futile as he also did not respond to messages sent to him.

‘Manyovu’ impressed Sagrada technical bench in the first leg match that Leopard lost 1-3 on October 16, 2021 in Luanda, where he scored the lone goal. He only played for 65 minutes in the second leg match played at Mavuso Sports Centre, where Leopard won 1-0 on October 23, 2021. Sagrada eliminated Leopard in the CAF Champions League second preliminary round on 3-2 aggregate score.

Preliminary

The reunion somehow will aid Leopard as they begin their journey in the CAF Champions League. They will heading to Madagascar for their first leg of the TOTALEnergies-sponsored tournament. This will be during round  one of the preliminary stage, which will be held in the period September 9, 2022. The second leg will be played on September 16 at Mbombela Stadium. Leopard were reportedly in the race to sign former Mbabane Highlanders striker, Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who was eventually snatched by Green Mamba. They are expected to find comfort in re-uniting with one of their trusted servants in ‘Manyovu’. When he was at Sagrada, he played against Africa’s heavyweight in Wydad Athletic Club from Morocco and Zamelek of Egypt.

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