by Dzudzie Faith Netshisaulu
The Premier Soccer League, PSL, have reportedly approved the sale of Moroka Swallows to Limpopo-based Marumo Gallants, Gallants confirmed in a statement released on Thursday.
Swallows who had just recently returned to the PSL after plying their trade in lower division leagues, find themselves facing the reality of no longer existing, following a series of reported financial difficulties last season. The Dube Birds missed a couple their PSL fixtures due to some of their players going on strike due to reported salary non-payments. The club then moved to release some key name players like Andile Jali and coach Steve Komphela, due to internal issues.
Gallants who were relegated from topflight football at the end of 2022/23 season, is owned by businessman Abram Sello, who started the club in 2021, following its purchase of Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, the club that bought the PSL status of Bidvest Wits in 2020.
“Following the final approval of the Premier Soccer League, (PSL) today, Marumo Gallants Football Club officially confirms the acquisition of Moroka Swallows Football Club. Gallants will take over Swallows with immediate effect,” said the statement.
The club also confirmed that home games for the upcoming season will be played in Bloemfontein, Free State.
Gallants added that they will be providing more details once their staff, technical teams and players have been addressed.
“At this stage the club will not be issuing further comments or taking interviews – a date will be communicated for a press briefing that will take place shortly,” concluded the statement.