NEW DAY, FRESH CHALLENGES AS ... ‘BIRDS’ IN COACHING DILEMMA

MBABANE – After what appeared to be a resolution with the return of the Mbabane Swallows’ former Management Committee (MC), a new dilemma has emerged regarding the coaching position.

Recent developments indicate that the coach is yet to return after reportedly resigning under unclear circumstances recently. Sources suggest that the coach felt his reputation was at stake while managing a team that had not been training effectively, which jeopardised their chances of achieving positive results. Under such challenging conditions, he verbally resigned last week, prior to the resolution of the leadership crisis. For three weeks, the team has been unable to train due to the ongoing turmoil. At one point, players threatened to boycott a match against Rangers, demanding their salaries.

Ultimately, an agreement was reached, and they received E2 000 to participate in the game, which ended in a goalless draw.Fast forward to the present, on Monday, the team convened at Sigwaca House for a meeting mediated by the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE). It was resolved that the original MC, led by Acting President Absalom Ngwenya, should resume their duties. The previous MC had resigned, citing unworkable conditions.

Rejected

However, after relinquishing control to Princess Lungile, the latter rejected the team, insisting they would not take on a club burdened with over E2 million in debt. Princess Lungile was quoted on national radio stating they would not accept the team under such financial constraints.Following Monday’s meeting, it remains unclear whether Coach Caleb will return to his position after his reported resignation last week. Swallows host Nsingizini at Mavuso on Sunday. When contacted for comment, team Chairman Welile Mabuza stated that they would hold a meeting last night to discuss the coaching situation, players’ concerns and all matters pertaining to the team’s preparations ahead of their league match against Nsingizini Hotspurs on Sunday. “One thing is certain: I cannot pre-empt any decisions as we are meeting this evening to address the coaching issue and everything that needs to be resolved ahead of this weekend’s game,” Mabuza remarked.

Meanwhile, Coach Caleb indicated that he had communicated with Swallows previously and, given the recent leadership changes, he will await further engagement before proceeding.
Caleb led Swallows to a league title last season and secured participation in the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League, where they were just one match away from reaching the group stages and securing a E7 million participation fee. Unfortunately, they were eliminated by Mamelodi Sundowns, the 2016 CAF Champions League winners.

Ultimately

This past season, they also reached significant cup competitions finals, including the Ingwenyama Cup, where they were 90 minutes away from winning E1.4 million, but ultimately lost to Green Mamba. Currently, they sit second in the MTN Premier League standings with 19 points, one game in hand behind league leaders Green Mamba, who have 22 points. If Caleb is unavailable, Musa Mamba, Caleb’s second Assistant Coach, may step in. The team would have been led by Sindiso Gama, Ngwenya’s first assistant, but he has travelled to South Africa for the Under-17 Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) tournament.

It does not end, as the ‘Birds’ players, through their Captain Kwakhe Thwala, insist on getting their salaries first before resuming duties. “Having the old management committee back is not a major issue. Ultimately, all we want is to be paid our salaries, and then the players will resume training. “We do not have a problem with anyone; we simply want our salaries so we can get back to work,” said Thwala.

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