RIO TRAINING WITH ‘BIRDS’

MBABANE- Former Mbabane Highlanders’ talented yet controversial midfielder Lindani ‘Rio’ Matsenjwa is training with Mbabane Swallows, with the hope of signing for the team.

The former ‘Inkunzi Emnyama ’box to box midfielder joined Highlanders in the 2018/2019 season. However, his time with the team was marred by a turbulent relationship, culminating in an extended absence from the squad. This turbulent period persisted until the conclusion of the 2023/24 MTN Premier League season, at which point the player’s contract with Highlanders expired, rendering him a free agent.

The former Moneni Pirates midfielder even took the club to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) Player’s Status Committee, alleging that the they had failed to pay his salary for three months in previous seasons. The 25-year-old’s turbulent journey continued into the 2022/23 season, when he failed to register in time with the Milton ‘Spanish’ Dlamini side, causing him to miss the team’s opening games. The latest news from the camp of Umkhonto KaShaka indicates that the midfielder is currently participating in training sessions with the squad. The club’s technical team is overseeing these training sessions, monitoring Rio’s performance and integration into the team’s tactical structure.

“Rio is currently undergoing training with the team as part of the team’s pre-season activities. I cannot yet comment on his potential signing, as it will depend on the coaching staff’s assessment of his skills and compatibility with their tactical approach. “As a keen observer of Swallows’ progress, I can say that Rio’s training with the team is certainly a noteworthy development that could lead to an exciting new addition to the squad. The coming weeks will likely provide more clarity on the team’s plans and intentions for Rio, and I will be monitoring this situation closely,” the source shared.

Diverse

According to an insider source, a diverse group of players, comprising former Denver Sundowns goalkeeper Bernard Ayikwei, former Nsingizini Hotspurs midfielder Lwazi Bhembe and several other foreign players recruited through agent Adebayo, have been participating in training sessions with Swallows. These training sessions, part of the team’s pre-season preparations, may indicate that the Swallows coaching staff is considering various options to enhance their squad for the upcoming season. Meanwhile, when contacted for comment about the player, Swallows’ Governor Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, seemed surprised that this reporter already had knowledge of the recent development. Zwane neither confirmed nor denied the news, but stated that a formal media day would be held to officially announce new signings.

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