DSTV PREM RETURN DELAYED FOLLOWING AFCON SUCCESS FOR BAFANA

To a staunch fan of South African football, it brings great sadness when you see how much belief the powers at be had in Bafana Bafana making it to the latter stages of the AFCON competition. It’s like they know they haven’t done enough to progress the national team after the successes of the late 90’s and early 2000’s.

Perhaps, there’s a better reason as to why the league was scheduled to resume on Tuesday, a day before the arrival of the national team after they finished third at the AFCON, to the dismay of standing officials. Or is there even a reason for the early resumption?

Bafana Bafana were lauded by the African continent after competing with a squad filled with local players bar the two European based players in the squad (Yaya Sithole & Mihlali Mayambela) and Percy Tau, who dawns the Red of African Giants, Al Ahly. However, it never crossed the minds of PSL officials that this squad would make it as far as they did, otherwise, how would you really explain the premature resumption of PSL clashes?

Eight fixtures from Tuesday to Wednesday were postponed accommodating the return of the nations pride as Bafana Bafana land at the OR Tambo International Airport at 4am on Wednesday morning. Part of the eight games that were postponed was the fixture between Cape Town City and trouble ridden Moroka Swallows, who are still patching up a squad they tore up during the December/January break.

WHAT’S THE LATEST ON MOROKA SWALLOWS?

Following the sacking of over 22 players due to their protest against the club for unpaid wages, David Mogashoa’s Swallows side are steadily rebuilding a team mid-season to compete in the remaining fixtures of the DSTV Premiership.

Last week, the The Dube Birds were dragged to the PSL DRC (Dispute Resolution Chamber) by their captain and Captain, Andile Jali, who has been reported to be on the verge of losing his home due to piled up levies, according to The Citizen.

As the club continues to work on their recovery ahead of the weekend, Jali hasn’t trained with the team with a reliable source claiming that the Starman is “fed up”. However, the team has resolved issues with some of Jali’s teammates. Daniel Akpeyi, Ghabindho Mhango and Latshane Phalane to name a few, have returned to training with the club while head coach, Steve Komphela has also not returned for duty, stating that General Manager, Elasto Kapowenzha has shut him out.

"I haven’t been denied entry, I am still waiting for our front office to communicate intentions... [after season break] a message was sent to say the preseason should not start until further notice," Komphela told Radio2000.

"That further notice has not come and I haven’t been to Moroka Swallows with respect. I have not been at the training facilities so I don’t know the story that I was not allowed in, or where does it come from? I’m still waiting.

"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 is doing things that I don't know about," he continued.

"Anyway, the season starts next week. Maybe there will be a change for us to find sanity and find a way forward, but as if I’m just looking at the pitch and watching the movie unfold."

Following Komphela’s interview, it was announced this week that Musa Nyatama will oversee the coaching duties in the nest, while Swallows also announced the departure of their entire technical team for their DDC side.

Moroka Swallows take on Polokwane City at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday as we await to see the team that Swallows will potentially field for the remainder of the season.