By Sibongiseni Zondi | 2018-03-20
SOCCER - MBABANE Swallows have apologised to Royal Leopard PRO Frank Hurube after the police side’s spokesman was accused of teaming up with Zanaco of Zambia by Swallows supporters.
Ever since Swallows were beaten 3-1 by Bantu FC in the CAF Champions League preliminary round earlier this year, rumours started spreading that Royal Leopard had teamed up with the Lesotho side to help them beat the ‘Birds.’ Those rumours gained momentum ahead of the crunch Champions League tie between Swallows and Zanaco on Saturday with allegations spreading that Leopard and Hurube, in particular, were again teaming up with the visiting team.
During the match on Saturday, which the local side won 1-0, Swallows supporters even chanted Hurube’s name. Yesterday the two sides met at Sigwaca House in the presence of National Football Association of Swaziland (NFAS) CEO Frederick Mngomezulu. Leopard were represented by Hurube and Chairman Mxolisi Dlamini while Swallows were represented by General Manager (GM) Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane. Afterwards, Swallows released a statement and clarified that they had asked Hurube to assist them with security arrangements.
“We noted with concern the threatening and derogatory singing by a section of our (Mbabane Swallows FC) fans and supporters during our CAF Champions League game against Zanaco FC on Saturday, March 17, directed at a particular official of Royal Leopard FC.
Presence
“Mbabane Swallows FC and Royal Leopards FC met today to discuss this matter in the presence of the FA. Mbabane Swallows FC wishes to clarify that the official in question (Mr. Frank Hurube) was specifically requested by Mbabane Swallows FC (as per the norm) to assist with security arrangements for our CAF opponents, starting with the game against Bantu FC of Lesotho,” reads part of the statement released by Zwane.
Apologies
Also in the statement, Swallows expressed their apologies to Hurube while warning their supporters against spreading the allegations any further.
“Our fans and supporters are cautioned to desist from accusations that could result in tarnishing the good names of people without any evidence brought to the team. We encourage our fans and supporters to continue singing songs in support of the team in a manner that encourages the players and unites us all as Mbabane Swallows FC. We wish to register our sincere apology to Mr. Frank Hurube and his family, Royal Leopard FC and all stakeholders that may have been negatively affected by this occurrence,” the statement concluded.
Interviewed shortly after the meeting at Sigwaca yesterday, Hurube said he would only comment at a later stage. “All I can say for now is that we have had fruitful talks with Mbabane Swallows. They will release a statement and before they do that I cannot say anything. I will comment at a later stage,” Hurube said.
The two sides are set to meet in the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup final this coming Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium. They met in the final of the inaugural edition in 2016 where Swallows won 2-0. In their last meeting in January this year, Swallows scored a dramatic equaliser to win 2-1 in what was the ‘Birds’ first match since the tragic murder of boss Victor Gamedze.
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