PREMIERSHIP title chasers Moroka Swallows have been invited to play in China next month.

The Dube Birds have accepted and will take part in an international tournament in Shanghai from June 1 to 3.

The tournament will also feature two Chinese clubs, Shanghai Shenhua FC and Shanghai Shenxin FC, as well as a French club.

"It's great for us to be invited to participate in this international tournament. It is a golden opportunity for Swallows to market ourselves globally," said Swallows brand manager Siya Sangweni, who added that it would be "great" to travel to the tournament as South African league champions.

"This invite could not have come at a more appropriate time, we are challenging for the Absa Premiership title that I'm confident we will win.

"This is also an opportunity for us to expose some of our youngsters to international soccer. Everybody is looking forward to the trip."

Sangweni said the trip would be a chance for Swallows to give young players international experience in preparation for the African Champions League next year.

Meanwhile, Swallows chairman Leon Prins has credited coach Gordon Igesund with transforming Swallows from relegation material last season to potential champions this time.

"It has been a great season for us. We want to win titles again, as was the case in the past, but we will all have to continue working hard. The days of fighting for survival for Swallows are over," Prins said.

During the days of Shakes Mashaba, Joel Mnini, William Makhura, Noel Cousins, Les Grobler, Alfred Lentsoane, Trott Moloto, Andries Maseko and Aubrey Makgopela, Swallows were among the giants of South African soccer.

Swallows have clearly bounced back after being a laughing stock for almost a decade, something that pleases supporters like Panyaza Lesufi. "We are definitely going to fly with the league title this time round," Lesufi predicted.