MBABANE – Could a familiar face be the messiah to save a sinking ship?
Eager to halt a disastrous run of form in the MTN Premier League, Manzini Wanderers have reportedly identified former midfielder Sifiso ‘Ayoba’ Matse, as the primary target to spearhead their survival charge.
According to a leaked recruitment list for the upcoming January transfer window, the ‘Weslians’ are prioritising the return of the Royal Leopard star. The hub giants are understood to have already approached the police side to negotiate a loan deal, seeking to inject much-needed top-flight experience and leadership into their struggling, youthful squad.
Efforts to reach Royal Leopard’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Frank Hurube, for comment were unsuccessful, as his phone was offline at the time of going to press.
The Gcina Dlamini-coached side currently finds itself at the foot of the table, enduring its worst start to a campaign in five seasons. In 11 outings, the maroon and white outfit has managed a paltry six points, recording just a single win alongside three draws and seven defeats.
This jittery form has left the ‘Weslian’ faithful in a state of high anxiety. With the league marathon set to conclude in May 2026, fans fear the club is staring into the abyss of relegation – a precarious position that feels all too familiar after the club only maintained its top-flight status this season through a legal battle.
While Matse is the headline target, he is not the only veteran on the radar. Sources indicate that Mbabane Swallows legend Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko has been courted by a senior Wanderers player to make a sensational U-turn and join the club when the registration window opens on January 8, 2026.
When reached for comment, ‘Samba Jive’ claimed the reports were news to him. Asked if he would answer the call should the Weslians come knocking, the veteran remained non-committal. “After all, I’m resting after many years in the game,” he said, though he added that he might weigh up his options if a formal approach were made.
Other names on the wishlist include Sandile Maseko, who recently parted ways with Tabankulu Celtics, and South African forward Siphamandla Dhlamini. Both players featured for Wanderers during the 2023/24 campaign.
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