FORMER ‘BIRDS’ STAR, MNGADI FOUND DEAD

Sipho Mngadi.

MBABANE – Former Moneni Pirates and Mbabane Swallows’ galloping forward Sipho ‘Yekini’ Mngadi is dead.

 The former speedy marksman was found dead yesterday afternoon and his body was already in a decomposed state. His body was discovered not too far from his homestead at Mbekelweni. Mngadi was last week declared missing by the Royal Swaziland Police (RSP) after his family members reported his absence to the police.

Police Deputy PRO Inspector Khulani Mamba confirmed the grisly find yesterday and the news that will be sadly received by the deceased’s former teams, in particular Swallows, where he shot to fame in the mid 1990s.
Mamba said judging by the state of Mngadi’s body, he had been dead for some days before the gruesome and shocking find yesterday afternoon.

Mngadi will be fondly remembered by the Swallows’ faithful for forging a lethal and deadly partnership with arguably the most cherished Swallows striker in Burundian Saidi ‘Chocolate’ Shabani. This was in the 1994 soccer season when the two players scored over 20 goals between them, as they led the Mbabane giants to the runners-up slot of the then Castle Lager League. Swallows could not defend their league that year despite being the most exciting outfit then, losing to fallen ‘Siteki Maulers’ XI Men In Flight on the last day of the season. The terrific duo also led the red and white glamour giants to the runners-up slot of the now defunct BP Cup.

Swallows acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sibusiso Manana expressed shock on hearing the news that their former player was no more.
“I am so shocked and saddened by what has befallen the Mngadi family. I am at a loss for words, really. He played for the club and did so with passion and dedication in the 1990s. We will pray to God to comfort his family and friends in this sad hour.

“At Mbabane Swallows, we are one big family and an injury to one is an injury to all. We have lost a valuable member of the team and we will always cherish the moments we spent with the player. We do hope that God will also give his grieving family the strength to face tomorrow during this difficult period,” said a heartbroken Manana.

In his career, Mngadi also played briefly for Moneni Pirates. Before his death, he was playing for renowned social side, Mhlambanyatsi Social, where he still entertained fans with his goal-scoring skills. At times he used to play as a goalkeeper on retirement.

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