Akpeyi admits Swallows relegation trouble

Moroka Swallows still seem fairly safe from DStv Premiership relegation, but Daniel Akpeyi is not really convinced.

MOROKA SWALLOWS LOSE WINGS

The team known as the Dube Birds have been through the worst this year. Swallows financial crisis led to the dismissal of 22 players before a handful were retained through negotiations. The Soweto giants later parted ways with coach Steve Komphela, who has since joined Golden Arrows.

“Some of the things I saw at Swallows, I have not seen or experienced anywhere. But I have to be cautious because I don’t want my next employer to feel like I have no confidentiality,” Komphela said after his departure, as quoted by FARPost. 

“I felt like I was fighting things that I felt would make us better. It was basic stuff that an efficient team manager should be able to do. In Stellies, we were told that our pre-match meeting and meal were prepared in the gym. So, in the end, it’s me in front of the players, and I told them that this was hogwash. In no time, we were given a meeting room. Which team manager, who is right in his head, would allow that image? 

“There is stuff I cannot speak about, but it’s just not right. I really wish the best for Musa [Nyatama], Ditheko [Mototo], and Thela [Ngobeni]. I am trying to package my responses, but at the same time, I am saying, can we please do better.”

The club have since gone nine league matches without a win. The team is currently placed in 14th place with seven points above safety.

WINLESS RUN

• 0-0 with Polokwane City
• 1-0 loss to Kaizer Chiefs
• 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates
• 2-1 loss to SuperSport United
• 0-0 draw with Royal AM
• 1-0 loss to Polokwane City
• 0-0 Chiefs draw with Kaizer Chiefs
• 1-1 AmaZulu draw with AmaZulu
• 4-1 loss to Sekhukhune United.

FOCUS ON SURVIVAL

According to Akpeyi, the focus has turned to rescue Swallows from relegation.

“Well, for now, I think we are trying to bring ourselves together to make sure we look into that because the fact that we have two other teams below us, it’s just a matter of points. Yes, we’ve had our challenges, we’ve had our turbulences,” Akpeyi said via SABC Sport.

“We are looking forward to the next game because every game counts. It’s quite unfortunate that now we have to take every game like a cup final but I have so much belief though the squad is young. We have younger players who have just come into the PSL, who haven’t even played in the NFD before, this makes it more challenging,” Akpeyi added.

Meanwhile, Swallows will travel to Cape Town Spurs this weekend. The game will kick off on Sunday at 15:30 from the Athlone Stadium.

Do you believe the Dube Birds will survive? Let us know in the comments section below.