MBABANE – Mbabane Swallows are reportedly closing in on signing former Nsingizini Hotspurs midfielder Manqoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati and Sibusiso Manana, ahead of the 2023 /24 season.
‘Nciba’ was previously in the books of Nsingizini Hotspurs while Manana was with Denver Sundowns in the past campaign. According to well-informed sources within the player’s camp, the two players started training with the Caleb Ngwenya-led side in the past week and were going to be part of Umkhonto KaShaka in the MTN Premier League season, which will start in October. “The players you are talking about are both in the team and have been training with the rest of the players. The coach of the club has been monitoring the players and from the look of things, both of them will definitely play a part in the team’s plans going forward,” said the source.
The source went on to reveal that the players were already allocated the team training kits and were already staying in the team club house in Sandla, Mbabane. “Both players are already catered for by the club and will be playing for the club. They are settling in very well in the team and they will be travelling with the team next week to Ulundi,” the source added. The publication reported on Wednesday that the Mbabane giants are also reportedly close to signing former Moneni Pirates striker Fabrice Mopina, who is also training with the club and will likely replace Bashir Mutanda who left the club.
Meanwhile, the Caleb Ngwenya’s charges are expected to feature in the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup which was launched last week. The 2023 edition will take place next week Saturday at the Prince Mangosuthu Stadium in Ulundi in the outskirts of Durban. The soccer festival will see four clubs and a social game pitting Kaizer Chiefs legends and Tshinja Social team made up of elite players and musicians from the Zululand battling for trophies. The four clubs are KwaZulu-Natal-based DStv Premiership sides in defending champions Amazulu, Richards Bay and Royal AM, with Eswatini envoys Swallows completing the line-up. Mbabane Swallows General Manager Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane could not be drawn for comment after his cellphone rang unanswered.
