Moroka Swallows and Steve Komphela drama unfolds
The ongoing tug of war between Moroka Swallows and head coach, Steve Komphela continues to drag on in the media.
Nothing has been pleasing at Moroka Swallows this summer. Here’s a new update that suggests it’s all over between Komphela and the Dube Birds.
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MOROKA SWALLOWS CRISIS
The trouble started when the club failed to pay players in November 2023.
The Swallows squad reacted by staying away from training and two matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and Golden Arrows.
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The result was the Premier Soccer League’s decision to fine Swallows R1 Million, of which R600,000 was suspended for 24 months.
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Swallows turned around and fired 22 players with immediate effect:
- Daniel Akpeyi
- Thakasani Mbanjwa
- Buhle Thompson
- Bongani Sam
- Mthokozisi Shwabule
- Vusi Sibiya
- Lentshane Phalane
- Tumelo Mangweni
- Tshediso Patjie
- Wandisile Letlabika
- Givemore Khupe
- Thandolwethu Ngwenya
- Wade Poole
- Siyabonga Khumalo
- Falakhe Tshanini
- Owethu Khumalo
- Mbulelo Wambi
- Mkhuseli Rampa
- Ntsako Makhubela
- Lindokuhle Mtshali
- Kwanda Mngonyama
- Tlakusani Mthethwa.
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STEVE KOMPHELA GONE?
After a surprise return to training that included a select number of players last week, coach Komphela was a notable absentee.
The Kokstad-born coach has since spoken to Radio 2000. Asked if he was denied entry to the training ground, Komphela said no, but the team seems to have moved on from him.
“I was not denied entry to the training venue because I didn’t even go there,” Komphela told Radio 2000, as quoted by FootballSA.
“I’m still waiting for communication from the office because after the games were cancelled in December, we were told that training should not resume until further notice.
“The season resumes next week. Maybe there will be a change and sanity will prevail and we will find a way forward. But right now, I’m just sitting back and watching this movie unfold.
“I don’t really want to talk about Swallows issues until we discuss them with the club. But I was called to Moroka Swallows to help. We were number four until we had these self-inflicted challenges. I don’t know what’s gonna happen next, because a lot has happened now.
“There are players that have been expelled and disciplinary hearings that I didn’t even know about. There were trials conducted, I didn’t know about them. Elasto Kapowezha [Swallows General Manager] is doing things that I don’t know about.
“But the supporters are calling for me to go back. But when I go back, how do I enter that terrain because a lot has been dismantled? A lot of preparation seems to be happening in my absence. How do I take the wheel of a car that I didn’t build?” the Swallows tactician concluded.