Swallows rest Bhele

SIYABONGA "Bhele" Nomvethe, who missed Moroka Swallows' 2-0 win over Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, will be rested for two weeks to allow a toe injury to heal.

Team doctor Ephraim Nematswerani says the player complained about a pain in the foot last week after the match against AmaZulu, which Swallows lost 1-2.

As a result of the injury Nomvethe will miss Saturday's match against Free State Stars in Bethlehem.

But defender Rudi Isaacs and attacking midfielder Bennet Chenene are expected back in action this weekend.

Isaacs had a lower abdominal muscle strain, while Chenene has been down with flu.

"We expect them to be available for the game against Stars," Nematswerani said yesterday.

The doctor said he was happy with the progress made by Joseph "Duku Duku" Makhanya, who was grounded by a knee injury for three weeks.

Makhanya was given a run late in the second half against Sundowns.

"There are no pains, I'm happy to be back," said Makhanya yesterday.

Swallows, the newly crowned MTN8 champions, have been boosted by an extension of their accommodation sponsorship by Birchwood Hotel, in Ekurhuleni, for another three years.

The hotel's marketing director Jazzman Mahlakgane said the sponsorship would now also include the group's new establishment, the Soweto Hotel.

Mahlakgane, speaking at the launch, said: "Our eight-year relationship has finally produced the cup that matches the years of our healthy relationship - the MTN8.

"Recently the team has done extremely well by achieving the runners-up position in the 2011/12 season, cleaning up in the PSL individual awards (last season) and winning the MTN8 cup.

"This has prompted Birchwood to dig deeper into our pockets because we want to fuel this winning spree further."

Swallows brand manager Siya Sangweni said: Our promise to the hotel group is that we will always strive for excellence, win more games, collect more points than last season and win more cup competitions."