Birds’ sack Elias Tsabalaka 21 January, 2014 07:00:00 By Nsindiso Tsabedze SOCCER – THE arrival of South African defender Thabiso Maharala at Mbabane Swallows has led to Zimbabwean defender Elias Tsabalaka going out of the ‘Birds nest’. Tsabalaka’s absence from the team was noticeable on Saturday when they played against Manzini Sea Birds, and the questions over his future at the ‘Beautiful Birds’ came as sudden as it was noticed that his allocated jersey Number 4 was donned by Maharala during his debut. It was then gathered that the player had indeed been deemed surplus to requirements at the team, which is to represent the country in the 2014 Orange Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League next month. The player’s hopes of playing in the continental tournament were effectively dashed. This is after the team deregistered him to make space for Maharala as well as a Zimbabwean player, Vibes Matanda, who is yet to be registered. Confirmed Mbabane Swallows Chef Executive Officer (CEO) Sibusiso Manana confirmed that the player, who joined them only at the beginning of the season after being released by Manzini Sundowns, will not be playing for the 2014 Castle Lager Premier Challenge winners this season. “Tsabalaka is no longer with us as he has been released. We have since deregistered him,” he said. Manana further mentioned that they were willing to let the player go to any team that would be willing to take him on loan until the end of the 2013/14 season.
Posted on: Tue, 21 Jan 2014 06:15:05 +0000