Africa-Press – Eswatini. Mbabane Swallows defender Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala has reportedly left the country to join Chippa United for his final assessment.
This publication reported early this month that the Sihlangu and Mbabane Swallows player had travelled to the neighbouring country for trials with South Africa’s DStv Premiership outfit Chippa United. Thwala had received an invitation to undergo assessments with the club. ‘Stopper’, who joined Mbabane Swallows from Young Buffaloes, was not available for Swallows’ Sunday game against Denver Sundowns. According to a source, Chippa United were interested in signing Kwakhe Thwala, who is also a regular player for the Sihlangu national team under the leadership of Dominic Kunene.
Signed
“It seems likely that the player will be signed by Chippa United once they resolve their issues with FIFA, as the club is currently under a transfer ban. However, we remain hopeful that the situation will be resolved favourably, as the player has a lot of talent and has the potential to succeed in South Africa,” the source said. Swallows Public Relations Officer (PRO) Knowledge Ngwenya referred all inquiries to the club’s Governor, Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane, stating that he was not the appropriate person to address the matter.
Ban
Meanwhile, in light of the transfer ban imposed on Chippa by FIFA, the club’s General Manager (GM) Sandiso Mpengese previously declined to comment on the issue, stating that the club was working tirelessly to address the matter. FIFA issued a transfer ban on the club following a dispute with Tanzanian international defender Abdi Banda, who was part of the team during 2022/23 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season. The club allegedly failed to fulfil the payment of his settlement agreement estimated to be around E1.2 million. The 28-year-old took the matter to FIFA, who subsequently imposed the ban.
If his trials are successful, he will join other emaSwati like Richards Bay’s Justice Figuareido, ZESCO United defender Lindo ‘All-Trades’ Mkhonta and Botswana side Police XI’s Banele ‘Current Affairs’ Ndzabandzaba, among others. Sandile ‘Beyond 2000’ Zwane could not be drawn for comment after his cellphone rang unanswered when called.
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