MBABANE – Moneni Pirates striker Sibonelo ‘Jekwa’ Simelane and former Royal Leopard defender Thami Zulu are reportedly training with Mbabane Highlanders ahead of the new season.
The two players reportedly started training with Inkunzi Emnyama this week, with Zulu only having started training yesterday afternoon. Jekwa was instrumental in the past 2022/23 MTN Premier League, finishing the campaign on 11 goals, while Thami Zulu played for Ingwe Mabalabala. Recent developments regarding the two players are that they have both reportedly agreed to join the Solly Luvhengo-led team ahead of the season. However, for ‘Jekwa’, his parental club said he still had a running contract with them which will expire in 2025.
“The players were introduced to the rest of the team by the coach, Solly Luvhengo, and the latter said they would be joining the club,” said one of players. The source went on to share that Thami Zulu was touted as the player who was going to replace Peter Dlamini who left the club to join Green Mamba earlier this month.
Meanwhile, Pirates Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sibusiso Nkambule said ‘Jekwa’ was their player. “He is our player and from what we know is that he asked to be excused in the team to attend to family problems. We expect him back in the team as he has a running contract with the club, which expires in 2025,” he said. The Mbabane giants are believed not to be the only side interested in the striker, with Royal Leopard and league champions Green Mamba believed to be keeping an eye on the player. The Pirates ‘hitman’ was reportedly also training with Royal Leopard earlier this week and it remains to be seen what will happen next.
