The concept of “old people dancing” conjures up a variety of images, some pleasant, and some, well, less so.
A sweet old couple swaying together to some old-time jazz, love’s young flame still burning strong, has to put a smile on the most cynical of lips.
Yet a middle-aged man trying to be ‘cool’ at his teenage daughter’s birthday, but instead taking to the dance floor and producing a series of spasms, is enough to make the most peaceful stomach turn inside.
Should Moroka Swallows and their ‘golden oldies’ win the Absa Premiership this weekend, however, it is likely no-one from the Birds will care if they are dancing a smooth tango or a funky chicken, so wild and wonderful will be the celebrations.
Swallows would have stormed in one season from a relegation battle to title glory, to a first championship since 1965, a time before any of the current Swallows squad were even a glint in their mother’s eye.
Swallows captain Lefa Tsutsulupa, 32 years young and having the season of his life, reckons it will about time the Beautiful Birds are seen in a celebratory title jig.
”As much as you guys always say our supporters are old and our players are old,” said Tsutsulupa with a smile.
“I think it’s high time you see old people dancing.”
There’s been plenty of on-field dancing from the Swallows attack this season, Siyabonga Nomvethe shimmying his way to 20 league goals, David Mathebula waltzing just behind him, the master creator of Gordon Igesund’s side.
The Birds have done brilliantly to drag the title race down to the final day, emerging as Orlando Pirates’ only remaining challengers. If they can win at Maritzburg United, and Pirates fail to beat Golden Arrows, the title is heading to the maroon part of Soweto.
“I am not sure what will happen between Pirates and Arrows, but I think we will do well against Maritzburg,” said a confident Mathebula.
The 28-year-old Player of the Season nominee has already picked up a couple of championship winning medals at Kaizer Chiefs, between 2003 and 2005, but clearly rates the current campaign with the Birds as his best.
”I think this is my best season yet,” he said.
“I have played the whole season and I have managed to do that because I am coached by the best coach and surrounded by good players. At Chiefs I didn’t play regularly, this season I have played more than 25 games.”
Mathebula, indeed, has played in 27 of the Birds’ 29 league games, his career revitalised by Igesund. The Swallows coach clearly has a magic touch, going for his fifth league title with five different clubs, and Mathebula was full of praise for his man-management skills.
“He has different personalities but is able to manage his squad very well,” said Mathebula. “I think we are the only team not to have a problem throughout the season, I’ve never seen a story about Swallows saying the players have gone to war, or done this and that. That’s what makes him (Igesund) a special coach.”
As Mathebula said, he has also enjoyed being “surrounded” by experienced men in attack like Nomvethe and winger Joseph Makhanya.
“These guys are good players and have a lot of experience, so for me as a midfielder to make a good pass, I rely on them to make things easier for me. Without them I do not think I would be here now.”
Nomvethe has been particularly astonishing, comfortably leading the scoring charts at the ripe old age of 34. ‘Bhele’ has scored a quite ridiculous 10 times in Swallows’ last six matches.
“He is a true professional and a special player,” said Mathebula. “I don’t think there is any striker who can play like him. He makes things easier for me and the other midfielders. He always makes good runs for the team and whenever he gets a chance to score he makes sure he uses the opportunity.”
One more Nomvethe goal, one more Moroka Swallows dance, and the title may just be heading to the Beautiful Birds. – The Star