MBABANE – A dawn of a new era begins for midfield maestro Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze.
Latest developments suggest that the dribbling wizard has finally completed a move to ambitious Premier League outfit Green Mamba, affectionately known as ‘Inyok’eluhlazane’. Green Mamba are the first security forces side Sikhondze has joined since starting his professional career at the age of 15 in 2013 with Mbabane Swallows.
After dilly-dallying, his former team, Tabora United, now under a new leadership, have agreed to let him go. The new team playing under the TRA Football Club banner, were earlier said to be willing to pay him his dues and retain his services.
Regardless, details of his offer remained scanty at the time of compiling this report. Speculation was rife after the ex-Mbabane Highlanders crowd-pleaser was spotted at Green Mamba’s training base in Matsapha over a month ago.
A source close to the Correctional Services side had alleged that the player was experiencing challenges with Tabora United in Tanzania. Further reports suggested that Sikhondze escalated a dispute with his Tanzanian club, Tabora United, to the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA).
It is said the decision was made after Tabora United allegedly breached their contractual agreements with the player. The source also stated that a copy of the letter to FIFA has been sent to the Eswatini Football Association (EFA) and the Tanzanian Football Federation (TFF).
Notably, the national team Sihlangu player had joined Tabora United on a two-year contract from Mbabane Highlanders, reportedly for a E100 000 signing-on fee and a E50 000 monthly salary. He signed with the Tanzanian side at the start of the 2024/25 season, meaning he has a year remaining on his contract.
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