Swazi Observer

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FOUR KEY PLAYERS EXIT BIRDS NEST

By Melusi Mlotsa | 2020-06-30

SOCCER - CAPITAL city giants Mbabane Swallows have reportedly off-loaded four key players from their nest.

The four players whose contracts expire today are the South Africa trio of midfielder Vusumuzi Zungu, winger Siphamandla Dhlamini and defender Paito Dube. The other player is youngster William Kunene, who has tasted little action since he joined the ‘Beautiful Birds’.

Kunene has been linked with a move to other elite league teams said to be interested in the talented youngster.

The future of lanky striker Sandile Hlatjwako is also uncertain.

Information gathered from a well -placed source revealed that the players have already received letters whereby the team is thanking them for services they rendered to the red and white glamour side.

The players are also expected to receive their last monthly salaries today. “The players will be no longer be part of the team as from tomorrow (today) and they will be free to join teams of their choice,” said the source.

The South Africa trio (as well as Thabiso Mokenkoane) joined the capital city giants at the beginning of the 2019/20 season but failed to make a real impact.

Mokenkoane eventually joined Royal Leopard during the January transfer window. The source said Zungu and Dhlamini had already left the team despite their contracts expiring today.

“This was after some of the team’s officials felt the players were not adding any value to the team yet they were foreign players.” Swallows Zambia-born Coach Honour Janza is also expected to beef up his squad for the coming season with youngster Leon Manyisa who is also on the wanted list. When sought for comment, Mbabane Swallows Commun-ications and Marketing Manager Manqoba Nxumalo said he could not discuss contractual matters with the media.

“Contractual matters at Swallows are treated with strict confidentiality as a matter between the player and club. In accordance with Swallows culture, whenever there is a need to communicate an issue, we do it through an official press release or press conference," he said.

Meanwhile, the red and white outfit is second on the MTN Premier League log standings.

The Honour Janza-led men are also in the quarter-finals of the 2019/20 EswatiniBank Cup, where they will face Correctional Services side Green Mamba when football action returns.

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