MBABANE - All good things come to an end.
The adage holds true for grafter Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze, who has parted ways with Mbabane Swallows. The player’s contract was not renewed. The former Desportivo de Maputo player is said to have left the capital city giants due to contractual issues after making his last appearance for the ‘Umkhonto KaShaka’ during the Africa day Cup, where the club played against Amazulu. A source within the Mbabane giants camp revealed that ‘Papi’ was no longer in the club. “He is no longer in the club and has not even come to training since our return for the coming season,” the source said.
The source went on to mention that the talented midfielder joined Swallows as a prodigal son last season and initially agreed on a one-year contract. “The player was not in the plans of the head coach going into the new season,” the source shared. Meanwhile, Swallows long-serving General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane said they were going to call the media and update the team supporters about players. “We will call the media and update them about players who have left and those who have joined the club. “I don’t want to comment about one person but will do so with all the players who have left the team,” he said.
Legacy
‘Beyond 2000’ went on to reveal that preparations for this coming Saturday’s game against Amazulu during the Prince Mangozuthu Legacy Cup were going very well. “We will leave for Ulundi on Friday morning and we urge our supporters to travel with the team so that they can show support to the players in the one-day tournament,” Zwane said. The Caleb Ngwenya-led outfit is expected to feature in the Prince Mangosuthu Legacy Cup and the 2023 edition will take place at the Prince Mangosuthu Stadium, 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 this year’s line-up. Sikhondze could not be drawn for comment after his cellphone rung unanswered when called yesterday.
