THREATS AGAINST ‘BIRDS’ COACH CALEB

MBABANE – Some Mbabane Swallows fans are said to be calling, hurling insults and threatening the team’s Head Coach Caleb Ngwenya.

The latter is under siege for not playing talented and experienced midfielder Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. The player was turned away for the second time in about two weeks by Ngwenya.
In a statement issued to the press by the ‘Beautiful Birds’, the supporters are strongly urged to desist from calling the coach on his cellphone to hurl insults and threaten him over the player, especially because the matter was internally handled by relevant structures with the player fined an undisclosed amount. “It is disturbing to note that there are people masquerading as team supporters, who are calling our coach’s personal number and hurling insults at him without first verifying information. Our coach is a professional and has not in whatsoever way had an altercation or argument with any player in the team. We warn these people who are responsible for tainting the coach’s image and reputation to stop doing so; those actions are unlawful. We are grateful to all our supporters who continue to cheer on and applaud the team. The team continues to perform highly because of your efforts and support. Please do keep it up - the team needs your support,” reads part of the press release.

Chelsea

Threats are not something new in football, as witnessed earlier this year when Chelsea Manager Graham Potter received death threats in the wake of the team’s poor form. Potter mentioned that time he had been targeted by an anonymous email account. The former Brighton & Hove Albion tactician had previously said that he believed he had the hardest job in football, spoke of the toll that recent months had taken on him personally and bullishly rejected accusations that a calm demeanor in the face of adversity meant he did not care about the club.

In the meantime, Swallows through General Manager (GM) Sandile Zwane, through the memo went on to say that the matter involving Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s absence in the capital city giants was resolved with the former Jomo Cosmos skilful player expected to pay a fine for misconduct. “The matter of Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s absence has been resolved using internal club structures. The player was summoned to appear before an internal council of club seniors, after which he submitted a letter of apology and appeared before the club’s disciplinary committee (DC). “Following these developments, the player has been instructed to start joining training sessions. The final disciplinary verdict for charges against the player is a fine, which has also been communicated to the player. We wish that our supporters could try to verify facts relating to the club’s matters and also give the team a chance to deal with internal matters without any pressure,” said the team.

Meeting

The ex-South Africa’s Polokwane City player is believed to have had a meeting with the Mbabane Swallows Management Committee (MC) where many issues were discussed including  forging a partnership with the club Coach in Ngwenya. This was after the team supporters were quick to react after the match and made it known that they wanted the stylish player back in the team, with others waiting for the coach to come out of the team’s dressing rooms so that they could skin him alive following the embarrassing defeat at the hands of the dethroned league champions, Royal Leopard, who won 4-2. The latest developments will be welcomed with positivity by the Umkhonto Kashaka supporters who have made it known through social medial pages; mainly Facebook that Pupu was one of their favourite players in the nest. Swallows will be looking to end the MTN Premier League season on a high note when they host Izinyoni Zolwandle, better known as Manzini Sea Birds at King Sobhuza III Memorial Stadium on Sunday at 3pm.

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