‘ Bravo’ returns home

MBABANE – Former Manzini Wanderers and Eswatini international player Banele Dlamini is back in the country, after an unsuccessful spell in South Africa, with Mbombela City Lads.

“Yes it is true that I am back home after my contract had not been renewed by Mbombela City Lads. Things were not going well in the team recently. I received my clearance the past week through an email, which means that I am a free agent now,’’ Dlamini said.

The player said things were not going well at Mbombela City Lads in the recently ended Mpumalanga Province ABC Motsephe League.

The player said currently he did not have offers locally and in South Africa. “I am currently at home and I have not yet received any offer from any team because I do not think they know that I am back in the country,” he said.

Dlamini further said that his South Africa based agent was searching a team for him in that country but by the look of things nothing concrete would materialise.

Camps

“I see myself playing for a local team next season because most teams are currently in pre- season camps in South Africa, which automatically means that my chances of securing a contract with a South African side are very slim,’’ Dlamini said.

The former Eswatini international player said his hands were wide open to any local team that would need his services. Dlamini, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to South Africa in the future. He said he still has more to offer in the game and playing in the money spinning Premier Soccer League ( PSL) is still his dream. He said the only way to return to South Africa was by playing regularly locally. When asked which team he would prefer to join in the local MTN Premier League, Dlamini said any team that would come knocking on his door would be the one that he would join.

“For now I won’t rush to find a team, because most of the teams in the country are fully focused on the remaining games, which I think none of them are looking for new players now. Most teams are not aware that I am back and my clearance is with me,’’ he said.

The player said he played 16 games for Mbombela City Lads. The Mpumalanga Province ABC Motsepe League is divided into two divisions with nine teams in each division. Mbombela City Lads finished in position six with 17 points in 16 games. The goalkeeper last played in the country for Manzini Wanderers in 2016 to 2019 and was part of the team that won the Bible Society Cup.