ANXIETY AT MBABANE SWALLOWS AS: 4 STARS SET TO JOIN NSINGIZINI

MBABANE – Nsingizini Hotspurs are reportedly keen to strengthen their squad by acquiring four players from Mbabane Swallows ahead of the January registration period.

Under the leadership of Head Coach Alexio Sigion, the team has allegedly identified four potential recruits from Umkhonto KaShaka: Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala, Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula, Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane and Newman Philiso. According to an insider from one of the teams, these players have been pinpointed by the ‘Insingizi YeZulu’ technical team as part of Nsingizini Hotspurs’ strategy to enhance their domestic performance.

“Nsingizini Hotspurs are genuinely interested in signing the three players, and the technical team understands the imperative of returning to competitive domestic football. The players are believed to be a perfect fit to bolster the already talented squad,” the source disclosed.  The insider revealed that members of the technical bench communicated their interest to the targeted players following a recent league match between the two teams at the Mavuso Sports Centre. The club has recently faced challenges, with players demanding payment for outstanding salaries that have been overdue for over two months, underscoring the importance of financial stability for athletes with short career spans. “These factors could play a crucial role in persuading these players to join Nsingizini and secure a more stable future,” the source added.

An impeccable source within the ranks of Mbabane Swallows has reported that the highly sought-after attacking winger ‘Karas’ has expressed, through a written letter, his intention to leave the club in January, unless his salary payments are resolved promptly. “As we prepared for the final league game of the year against Sisonkhe, Bongi Magagula sent a letter to the club, stating that he would no longer participate as a player if his salary was not paid before December,” the source shared. When asked to confirm whether Nsingizini Hotspurs were pursuing players from Mbabane Swallows, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Banele Ngobe firmly stated that they were yet to identify any players for acquisition during the January transfer window.

“We will receive recommendations from our Sporting Director Simon Ngomane in January regarding players he has identified for the club, and we will await his guidance,” he commented. Upon further enquiry about the quality of the players under consideration, Ngobe chose to withhold additional information, emphasising that it would be inappropriate and unprofessional to discuss players currently under contract with other teams.

In response to reports of potential player transfers between Swallows and Nsingizini Hotspurs, MC Chairman Welile Mabuza categorically stated that no formal or informal discussions have taken place between the two clubs. Mabuza further asserted that the players in question are not available for sale, as they remain bound by valid contracts with the club. According to FIFA regulations, a player still under contract is prohibited from directly engaging with other clubs regarding a potential transfer, ensuring that clubs maintain their exclusive rights over contracted players and preventing any form of clandestine negotiations.

FIFA rules do allow a player to enter into a pre-contract agreement with another club if less than six months remain on their current contract. A pre-contract serves as an agreement between a player and a prospective new club, allowing the player to join the new club once their current contract expires. This provision enables players to explore new opportunities while respecting the terms of their current contract. However, the pre-contract does not grant the player the ability to switch clubs until their existing contract has concluded, ensuring their obligations to their current team are fulfilled.

However, the situation may differ for Swallows, as per the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) Articles 12bis and 14 about non-payment of a player’s salary or other dues within a specified period, typically 30-60 days, or repeated failures to pay wages could be deemed a breach of contract, with potentially severe repercussions for both the player and the club involved. This could mean that Swallows risk losing their players during the January registration period if they fail to resolve their financial issues.  Should Nsingizini succeed in securing the targeted players, they would join former Swallows player Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, who joined the club at the start of the season after previously rejecting an offer from his former team.

Outside the country’s borders, a similar situation unfolded in 2017 when six Moroccan players from Ittihad Tangier reportedly departed en masse due to months of unpaid wages. In a statement to the press, the players expressed dissatisfaction with the club’s failure to meet its financial obligations, stating that they had been compelled to take drastic measures to support themselves and their families. The departure of these players significantly impacted the team’s performance and standings, highlighting the critical importance of fair and timely compensation for professional athletes.

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