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MBABANE – Tug of war is looming.

This comes after Ingwenyama Cup defending champions, Green Mamba reportedly expressed their interest in signing four players from Mbabane Swallows for the 2024/25 MTN Premier League season. The team, under the guidance of experienced coach Ernest Mavuso, has allegedly identified four players from Umkhonto KaShaka: Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala, Ayanda ‘Gandanganda’ Gadlela, Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane.

Selected

According to an inside source within one of the teams’ camps, these players have been selected by Inyoka Eluhlazane technical team, which include Assistant Coach Sandile Lulane. This strategic move is part of Green Mamba’s efforts to bolster their roster and enhance their performance in domestic football.

“Green Mamba have initiated discussions with these players for the upcoming season. Fortunately, Gadlela, Siyabonga and Tiger have confirmed that their contracts with Mbabane Swallows will expire in June. However, Kwakhe’s contract may extend beyond that, but Green Mamba remain determined to secure all four players,” the source said. The insider revealed that members of the Correctional Services technical bench informed the targeted players of their interest after a league match between the two teams at the Mavuso Sports Centre last month.

Job

“The players are reportedly willing to join Green Mamba to secure job security beyond their football careers, as the team is from the Correctional Services department. This stability is particularly appealing in light of the uncertainties surrounding Mbabane Swallows, who are currently without a director. The team has recently experienced instances of players demanding payment for unpaid salaries, highlighting the importance of financial stability for footballers with short-term careers.

These factors could be influential in convincing these players to join Green Mamba and secure a more stable future,” the source added. An investigation by the publication revealed that the capital city giants , who are set to play against Pigg’s Peak Rangers tomorrow, have tried to extend the contract of midfielder ‘Gusheshe’. The attacking midfielder signed from Seven Dreams last year alongside Newman Philiso from Ludzeludze Killers, was reportedly offered a two-year extension with improved terms.

However, the player has been hesitant to commit to a new deal, reportedly waiting until the end of the season to evaluate his options. “He has been offered a two-year contract with a monthly salary of E7 000, but he is yet to sign the contract. The player is allegedly avoiding the team officials’ discussions about the contract, hinting at his possible desire to leave at the end of the season,” the source explained.

However, it is worth highlighting that Kwakhe’s situation is unique, as his contract with Swallows will run until 2026. He had signed a two-and-a-half-year deal when he joined the team, making it challenging for him to switch teams without extensive negotiations and possible financial implications.

In response to these reports, Umkhonto KaShaka’s Governor Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane dismissed the news, stating that the team was focusing on the upcoming match against Rangers. He emphasised that the four players were an integral part of the team’s long-term plans and would only be released if they received offers outside the borders of Eswatini.

“We do not pay attention to grapevine and it is unfortunate that this rumour has surfaced at a time when the team is preparing for a challenging game. Our focus is solely on the game and all the players in question are an integral part of the team’s future. I do not wish to delve into the details of their contracts, as that is between the players and the club as their employer,” he stressed.

Green Mamba’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mandla Sibiya stated that he was not yet aware of the team’s interest in signing the four players. However, he emphasised that if such interest existed, they would wait for a report from the technical team and make a decision based on that information.

“I’m yet to get a report about those players from the technical team,” he briefly said. Green Mamba’s head coach, Ernest Mavuso, when contacted yesterday, stated that he did not intend to disrespect Mbabane Swallows as he was aware that the players were under contract with the team. However, he acknowledged that, hypothetically speaking, all four players were talented individuals who could be assets to any team.

According to FIFA rules, a player who is still under contract is not allowed to directly talk to other clubs about a potential transfer. This is to ensure that clubs maintain their exclusivity rights over their contracted players and prevent any form of underhanded negotiations. The FIFA rules permit a player to sign a pre-contract agreement with another club if less than six months are remaining on their current contract.

A pre-contract is essentially an agreement between a player and a prospective new club, which enables the player to join the new club once their current contract expires. This provision allows players to explore new opportunities and potentially secure their future while still respecting the terms of their current contract. The pre-contract, however, does not allow the player to move to the new club until their existing contract has expired, ensuring that their obligations to their current team are fulfilled.

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