Discussions are at an advanced stage to lure the legendary Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko to Denver Sundowns as player-coach.
The former Mbabane Swallows and South Africa’s Black Leopard flying winger is expected to be unveiled by Sundowns as soon as a few loose ends are tied. “Samba Jive will join us as a player coach and will work with current head coach ‘Nyama’ (Mduduzi Shongwe). Everything is almost finalised for him to come to Manzini and his leadership is regarded key in assembling a team that will compete,” a high ranking informant at the Manzini-based side confirmed.
‘Samba Jive’ burst into football limelight at a tender age when he helped Gege Happy Stars, his homeboy club get promoted to the Premier League alongside the likes of Smally Shabalala. However, Happy Stars only spent one season in the elite league but ‘Samba Jive’s brilliance was enough to catch the eye of Denver Sundowns scouts where he signed.
He earned his first Sihlangu call-up in just his first season with Sundowns before earning a lucrative move to the South African Premier Soccer League (PSL) where he joined Thoyandou-based Black Leopard. At Leopard, he played alongside fellow Eswatini internationals Sibusiso ‘Spoko’ Dlamini and Bongani ‘Ndezi’ Masangane.
He also had stints with Platinum Stars and the now defunct FC AK among other South African sides before returning to the country to play for Malanti Chiefs. He later joined Mbabane Swallows where he won everything Eswatini football can offer.
When reached, ‘Samba Jive’ only confirmed that talks are happening but nothing has been signed just yet. “Yes, we are in negotiations but nothing has been signed. I can only say, it is highly likely that I will be with Sundowns in the new season,” he said.
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