There may finally be light at the end of the tunnel in the protracted Mbabane Swallows ownership saga.
This follows an olive branch extended by Mbabane Swallows Pty Ltd to the club’s management committee (MC) in a bid to reconcile and jointly manage the team.
Speaking on behalf of the board, Mbabane Swallows (PTY) Ltd Board Vice-Chairman Cyprian Bhekithemba Ginindza expressed concern over the state of the once-mighty capital city giants. He stressed that the board remained ready and capable of stepping in to rescue the team ahead of next week’s crucial first competitive game of the season.
| Eswatini Observer WhatsApp Channel
Swallows were left in limbo following the collapse of a much-anticipated deal with a Mozambican investment group. The partnership, valued at an estimated E3 million annually over three years, was expected to secure the club’s financial future but has since fallen through, with no clarity on whether it will ever be revived.
In the wake of this setback, the (PTY) Ltd board reiterated its willingness to return to the negotiating table with the MC:
“First, I would like to clarify to the fans and other stakeholders that we are not fighting the current MC for power. We want what is best for the club, and the state it is in now is heartbreaking for us as people who love it. That is why we are open and willing to sit down with them and figure out a way forward. I am confident that once we resolve our issues, the club will return to its best,” Ginindza said.
He described the situation as dire, noting that Swallows are due to compete in their 8Bet Trade Fair Cup match, yet the leadership dispute remains unresolved. He accused the MC of delaying discussions despite initially reaching out:
“We were told the MC wanted to engage us and only learnt of that on Tuesday morning. In response, we asked them to provide a date, time, and venue for the talks. Unfortunately, they have still not come back to us. This is very concerning because time is running out to make sure the team is ready for Monday’s game. The team must play,” he said.
The vice-chairman added that this was not the first time dialogue efforts stalled. The (PTY) Ltd board had attempted on two previous occasions last season to open discussions with the MC, but nothing materialised.
Ginindza further expressed disappointment with the Premier League of Eswatini (PLE), arguing that they could have done more to facilitate a solution:
“If you recall, we were not the only team seeking to change our leadership structure mid-season. Other clubs managed to do it, yet we were told to wait until the season’s end. Our question is: why were they allowed to proceed while we were blocked?”
Attempts to reach Mbabane Swallows FC Public Relations Officer Knowledge ‘Bhambo’ Ngwenya proved futile as his number was unavailable.
With the clock ticking towards Monday’s fixture, supporters of the Birds will be watching anxiously to see if this latest reconciliation attempt can finally end months of uncertainty and restore stability to one of the country’s most decorated clubs.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader | View Here
