It's A few days before the start of the new National First Division season and Moroka Swallows insist they are ready to fly even though coach Ian Gorowa has not been tied down to a contract.
Gorowa has been working throughout pre-season with Goodman Mazibuko as they prepare for the new campaign, which begins with a tricky away clash against Cape Town All Stars at Athlone Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
They now have the mammoth task of trying to get back to the top flight at the first time of asking or join the likes of Santos, Vasco da Gama and Thanda Royal Zulu, who are struggling to make a comeback.
The Dube Birds have played friendly matches against the likes of Witbank Spurs, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Jomo Cosmos and Bidvest Wits to get the team ready.
"I don't have a contract so it would be unfair for me to say anything right now," Gorowa said.
"Yes, I have been with the team during pre-season and the players have been working hard," he added.
Birds chief executive Leon Prins said they were working around the clock to make sure the team is ready for the start of the new campaign.
"We are working frantically to make sure we are ready for the new season. I don't want to say much at the moment. We have added quite a lot of people."
Asked if Gorowa has a contract, Prins said: "He is doing well. That's all I am going to say."
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Josta Dladla has been training with the team for quite some time now, but is yet to sign a contract, according to his agent Steve Kapeluschnik.
"We are in negotiations with Swallows right now. He is happy there and they are happy with him. It's a process," Kapeluschnik said.
Mazibuko said the team was looking good ahead of Saturday's clash.
"Things are going well. There has been some chopping and changing, but the team is looking good. We have to make sure we work hard to get a win on Saturday," Mazibuko said.
The Birds have brought in youngsters such as Mxolisi Kunene, Tshepo Mamabolo and James Bell.
"We have also signed Kagiso Mashishi from Thanda and we still have Siyabonga Nomvethe," Mazi- buko said.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe has also joined the club after Sage Stephens left for AmaZulu and Greg Etafia took up the role as goalkeeper coach.
FIXTURES (all 3pm)
Saturday: Leopards v Milano, Thohoyandou; AmaZulu v Witbank Spurs, King Zwelithini Stadium; FC Cape Town v African Warriors, NNK Rugby Stadium; CT All Stars v Swallows, Athlone; Mbombela United v Thanda, Kanyamazane; Highlands Park v Royal Eagles, Makhulong.
Sunday: Santos v Baroka, Athlone, Mthatha Bucks v Vasco, Mthatha Stadium.
Dithering Birds claim to be ready for NFD life
It's A few days before the start of the new National First Division season and Moroka Swallows insist they are ready to fly even though coach Ian Gorowa has not been tied down to a contract.
Gorowa has been working throughout pre-season with Goodman Mazibuko as they prepare for the new campaign, which begins with a tricky away clash against Cape Town All Stars at Athlone Stadium on Saturday (3pm).
They now have the mammoth task of trying to get back to the top flight at the first time of asking or join the likes of Santos, Vasco da Gama and Thanda Royal Zulu, who are struggling to make a comeback.
The Dube Birds have played friendly matches against the likes of Witbank Spurs, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Jomo Cosmos and Bidvest Wits to get the team ready.
"I don't have a contract so it would be unfair for me to say anything right now," Gorowa said.
"Yes, I have been with the team during pre-season and the players have been working hard," he added.
Birds chief executive Leon Prins said they were working around the clock to make sure the team is ready for the start of the new campaign.
"We are working frantically to make sure we are ready for the new season. I don't want to say much at the moment. We have added quite a lot of people."
Asked if Gorowa has a contract, Prins said: "He is doing well. That's all I am going to say."
Former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Josta Dladla has been training with the team for quite some time now, but is yet to sign a contract, according to his agent Steve Kapeluschnik.
"We are in negotiations with Swallows right now. He is happy there and they are happy with him. It's a process," Kapeluschnik said.
Mazibuko said the team was looking good ahead of Saturday's clash.
"Things are going well. There has been some chopping and changing, but the team is looking good. We have to make sure we work hard to get a win on Saturday," Mazibuko said.
The Birds have brought in youngsters such as Mxolisi Kunene, Tshepo Mamabolo and James Bell.
"We have also signed Kagiso Mashishi from Thanda and we still have Siyabonga Nomvethe," Mazi- buko said.
Goalkeeper Aubrey Mathibe has also joined the club after Sage Stephens left for AmaZulu and Greg Etafia took up the role as goalkeeper coach.
FIXTURES (all 3pm)
Saturday: Leopards v Milano, Thohoyandou; AmaZulu v Witbank Spurs, King Zwelithini Stadium; FC Cape Town v African Warriors, NNK Rugby Stadium; CT All Stars v Swallows, Athlone; Mbombela United v Thanda, Kanyamazane; Highlands Park v Royal Eagles, Makhulong.
Sunday: Santos v Baroka, Athlone, Mthatha Bucks v Vasco, Mthatha Stadium.
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