Regional team, ‘Birds’ clash over ground

MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows have been utilising a training ground belonging to Lobamba-based promotion side Liwakawaka FC, according to a well-placed source.

The source confirmed that Mbabane Swallows commenced training sessions at the venue, situated next to Somhlolo National Stadium at Lobamba, last Thursday. “They started training there last week Thursday, if I’m not mistaken, but it was after the bad weather we experienced. We initially thought perhaps their usual training venue had issues and they would leave soon, but they are still here,” the source noted.

This was corroborated by a Liwakawaka FC player stationed at Lobamba, who confirmed Mbabane Swallows’ presence at their training pitch. The ‘Birds’, were reportedly using the venue twice a day for morning and afternoon sessions.

The source highlighted that this was not the first instance of a top-flight team using their facility, citing a similar situation involving Ezulwini United. “They are not the first team we have encountered similar challenges with. Ezulwini United also trained here, and we spoke to them about how we were and are affected by them using the field,” the source stated.

Liwakawaka FC maintain that the field in question is theirs and has been for a long time, expressing confusion about how these teams began training there. Liwakawaka currently compete in the Lobamba Member of Parliament (MP) Michael Masilela Promotion League, where they are aiming for promotion to the Sunny-sponsored Super League.

When contacted for comment, Mbabane Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO), Knowledge Ngwenya, confirmed the temporary use of the venue. “Yes, we were training there. We asked the team to train there for a few days, as our training field was waterlogged and slippery. We used the venue while we waited for ours to dry,” Ngwenya stated.

The ‘Birds’ PRO did not directly address the concerns raised by Liwakawaka regarding their training pitch usage but maintained that their occupation was for a few days, not a permanent arrangement, as the team have since returned to their normal training ground.