Moroka Swallows F.C.

In the 1940s, Ishmael Lesolang, Strike Makgatha, and Johnny Kubheka, all passionate about football, established a club initially named Congregated Rovers, reflecting the workplace of many players and officials. This name soon evolved to Moroka Rovers before being rebranded as Moroka Swallows on October 10, 1947, setting up their base in the township known as Masakeng. The name Moroka, which translates to ‘rain maker’ in Setswana, has been retained for over half a century, symbolizing the club’s enduring legacy and success both on and off the pitch.

The 1950s and 1960s marked a golden era for the club, highlighted by winning the South African League title in 1965. The club’s off-field success was equally impressive; it became the first football team to incorporate as a public company in 1971 and secured its inaugural official sponsorship with Teljoy the same year. Between 1982 and 1992, the club enjoyed a prolific period, capturing four titles.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007, the club added the Nedbank Cup to its trophy cabinet in 2009, marking its first significant win in five years. However, the following years saw challenges, including narrowly avoiding relegation in the 2013-14 season and then facing its first relegation in the 2014-15 season. Despite a further relegation to the SAFA Second Division and eventual liquidation, the club made a comeback by purchasing the franchise of National First Division team Maccabi for R8 million in 2018. They competed as Swallows F.C. in the 2019-20 season, securing promotion to the Premier Soccer League by the season’s end.

Ahead of the 2023-24 season, the club, then known as Swallows F.C. post-bankruptcy and a FIFA ban, reverted to its historic name, Moroka Swallows F.C. However, the 2023-24 season was marred by financial challenges, leading to the club failing to fulfill its final two fixtures, a situation exacerbated by a sponsorship dispute with the PSL regarding a potential deal with Telkom.

Honours

Achievements in South African Football:

• League Victories: Triumphed in the South African Soccer League during the year 1965.
• Nedbank Cup Successes: Secured victories in the years 1983, 1989, 1991, 2004, and 2009, showcasing a strong performance across various cup names including the Mainstay Cup, Bob Save Super Bowl, and ABSA Cup.
• MTN 8 Achievements: Came out on top in the MTN 8 competition (previously known as the BP Top Eight) in the years 1975, 1979, and 2012, demonstrating consistent success.
• Sales House Cup Victory: Claimed the title in 1978, marking a significant achievement in this competition.
• National First Division Champions: Crowned champions in the 2019–20 season, highlighting their prowess in the national first division.