JOHANNESBURG - Swaziland's Mbabane Swallows have confirmed that they are contemplating buying their way into South Africa's elite league by acquiring PSL status.
Mbabane CEO Sandile Zwane confirmed on Thursday that the club wants to campaign in the South African top flight.
“Yes, we are thinking about buying PSL status but we need to communicate with the South African government, the PSL and Safa. It is a long time dream of our chairman," said Zwane.
"We are a 'one' country with South Africa. You are now speaking Zulu and I’m speaking Swati but we can understand each other clearly. Playing in South Africa will help both countries to exchange tourism.
"We feel we can compete in South Africa. We are serious about this. It is not an unfamiliar scenario. It's happening in England with teams like Swansea City and Cardiff City (who are both from Wales). It can also happen here in Africa,” Zwane continued.
Mbabane have won the Swazi Premier League a record sixtimes. They also possess four Swazi Cups, four Swazi Charity Cups and three Swazi Trade Fair Cups.
This year they reached the group stages of the Caf Confederation Cup, where they outclassed South African opponents Platinum Stars.
“We are not saying we don’t see ourselves as a team that can compete in Swaziland but we feel the South African league is stronger than our league. We want strong competition. We want to grow as a team. The chairman wants to see the team competing in the (PSL),” Zwane explained.
Ironically, it is Platinum Stars' status that is up for grabs. The club is currently languishing at the bottom of the table and the owners have indicated they are keen to sell.
PSL spokesman Luxolo September says anyone can buy PSL status.
“It does happen all over the world. How many English teams are owned by Chinese guys? Yes, anyone can buy PSL status, regardless of where they are from. If they meet all the requirements then the transaction can be endorsed. As to whether they can stay in Swaziland, we will have to sit down and decide. All the rules and regulations in the PSL handbook must be followed. At the moment I don’t know anything about the application."