TOP PHYSICIAN SHOWN THE EXIT DOOR IN ‘BIG DERBY’ AFTERMATH AS … ‘BIRDS’ SAY ‘SIYABONGA’ TO BHEMBE!

MBABANE – The ‘Beautiful Birds’ of Mbabane are not taking their losses lying down as some decisions are being made in the club – one of them has affected the technical bench.

About five days since losing 1-2 to their traditional rivals Mbabane Highlanders last Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre where mayhem followed after the final whistle, it has come out that the red and white Mbabane Swallows have opted to part ways with their trusted servant in assistant coach and physical trainer Siyabonga Bhembe.

As they say, when one man falls, it is the rise of another and as things stand, former Mbabane City, Green Mamba, Vovovo and currently National First Division League outfit Ezulwini United coach, Caleb Ngwenya, is next to taste what it feels like working for one of the country’s ‘Big 3’ teams, where results are everything with the fans.

“Siyabonga was given a letter of dismissal today (yesterday) and I can tell you now it took him by shock because the reason stated was that of poor performance but it’s shocking because we haven’t underperformed and we’re competing,” said an impeccable source. Bhembe was reached about the latest news. “It’s still fresh I can’t say much about it but yes, I am aware of what you are asking me about as I got my letter and it does speak of poor performance,” Bhembe responded.

He said it was okay but before he could say much, he found it proper to first meet with the team’s President, Archbishop Bheki Lukhele. “The president is the one who brought me back to Swallows last season whereby I found them struggling and at number 10 but I helped them finish third. We’ve played again this season and we’re competing but they say I’m being released for poor performance,” Bhembe said.

Experience

He asked to be allowed to meet with the team president before making his full press statement. The coach and trainer, who has vast experience having also worked for South Africa’s Mbombela United in the 2018/19 and 2019/20 season then returned to join Highlanders, where he worked for almost one season. He then went on to join Denver Sundowns who were also struggling and helped them improve greatly before Swallows snatched him back to their camp, where he always was before Mbombela United.

Bhembe is part of the Swallows that made history in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) interclub tournaments by reaching the group stage consecutively, first the CAF Confederation Cup then the CAF Champions League. Asked if he was aware that the team was already linked to former Green Mamba coach Caleb, Bhembe responded to the affirmative but asked not to comment about that. An impeccable source at Swallows said Ngwenya was expected to leave Ezulwini United to allegedly resume work on New Year’s Day.

This means he could be on the bench when Swallows face Manzini Wanderers as the league will resume on January 4, 2023. Bhembe, who worked closely with co-coach Musa Manyatsi leaves the team on position five with 16 points, three away from leaders Young Buffaloes, second-placed Green Mamba, who both have 19 points while rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs have 18 on third. Highlanders have 18 points and sit on fourth.

Meanwhile, efforts to get Ngwenya’s comments proved futile. When contacted the gaffer said he was at work, when the matter of him being linked to Swallows was raised, he simply cut the call. Swallows General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane said they would call press conference today or release a press statement explaining everything that was happening at the team which the public had to know.

“We’ve been in meetings all day and everyone who’s called me is asking about Siyabonga. My response is that we’ll issue our statement tomorrow through a release or press conference. We’ll give you all the news you want and our president is going to be making many changes as we also promise that next season, we’ll be back where Swallows belong otherwise its festive time and we can only ask God to keep us all safe,” Zwane said.

He also apologised on behalf of the team for the derby defeat, explaining that they failed to give their supporters a good gift but next year they would continue with action and try their best to be better. He then tasked the supporters to use the festive soccer tournaments and become coaches or their scouts for talent. “We got Nhlanhla Ngwenya at Gucuka festive tournament not long ago and even this time they invited me so I’ll be looking for raw talent there. Our supporters must do same as we now want to promote local talent to be successful next season and also boost Sihlangu. When you spot someone you believe can fit, take their numbers and call us,” he appealed. He also wished all in the game and public a safe festive.

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