Moroka Swallows Football Club, commonly known as Swallows or The Birds, is a professional football team located in Soweto, Johannesburg, within the Gauteng region. The club’s foundation in 1947 marks it as one of the pioneering Soweto teams, sharing a historical rivalry with Orlando Pirates through the celebrated Original Soweto Derby.
Swallows consistently participated in the Premier Soccer League every season until their relegation in the 2014–15 season. However, they made a triumphant return by winning the National First Division in the 2019–20 season, securing their spot in the 2020–21 South African Premier Division. In their comeback season to the top-tier league, they impressively finished 6th, earning a place in the 2021 MTN 8 competition. The team hosts its home games at Dobsonville Stadium, creating a formidable presence in South African football.
Moroka Swallows History
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.
Club Records
- Andries Mpondo holds the record for the most starts by a South African player, with 395 appearances.
- Thomas Hlongwane is the top goal scorer for South Africa, netting 73 goals.
- Lerato Chabangu is the most capped South African player, making 13 appearances.
- The record for the most starts in a single season goes to Andries Mpondo with 49 starts in 1986.
- Thomas Hlongwane scored the most goals in a season for South Africa, with 27 goals in 1985.
- South Africa’s biggest win was an 8–0 victory against African Wanderers on September 29, 1991, in the NSL.
- The team’s heaviest losses were a 2–6 defeat to Hellenic on March 7, 1985, in the Sales House Cup, and a 2–6 loss to Rangers on July 3, 1987, in the NSL.
League Positions
Season | Division | Position | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1996–97 | South African Premier Division | 11th | |
1997–98 | South African Premier Division | 11th | |
1998–99 | South African Premier Division | 15th | |
1999–00 | South African Premier Division | 12th | |
2000–01 | South African Premier Division | 15th | |
2001–02 | South African Premier Division | 6th | |
2002–03 | South African Premier Division | 4th | |
2003–04 | South African Premier Division | 7th | |
2004–05 | South African Premier Division | 5th | |
2005–06 | South African Premier Division | 4th | |
2006–07 | South African Premier Division | 3rd | |
2007–08 | South African Premier Division | 7th | |
2008–09 | South African Premier Division | 11th | |
2009–10 | South African Premier Division | 8th | |
2010–11 | South African Premier Division | 13th | |
2011–12 | South African Premier Division | 2nd | |
2012–13 | South African Premier Division | 9th | |
2013–14 | South African Premier Division | 13th | |
2014–15 | South African Premier Division | 15th | Relegated |
2015–16 | National First Division | 16th | Relegated |
2016–17 | SAFA Second Division (Gauteng) | 16th | |
2017–18 | SAFA Second Division (Gauteng) | 6th | |
2018–19 | SAFA Second Division (Gauteng) | 7th | Purchased 1st Division franchise of Maccabi F.C. |
2019–20 | National First Division | 1st | Promoted |
2020–21 | South African Premier Division | 6th | |
2021–22 | South African Premier Division | 15th | Retained via playoffs |
2022–23 | South African Premier Division | 8th |
This table outlines the team’s performance across different divisions, highlighting their journey through relegations, promotions, and their final standings in various seasons.
First team squad
No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
---|---|---|---|
2 | DF | RSA | Sipho Sibiya |
4 | DF | RSA | Keegan Allan |
5 | DF | RSA | Wandisile Letlabika |
6 | MF | RSA | Tlakusani Mthethwa |
7 | MF | RSA | Lindokuhle Mtshali |
8 | MF | RSA | Lantshene Phalane |
11 | FW | KEN | Gabadinho Mhango |
15 | MF | RSA | Andile Jali |
16 | FW | RSA | Moeketsi Makhanya |
18 | DF | RSA | Gregory Damons |
23 | DF | RSA | Mthokozisi Shwabule |
24 | DF | RSA | Vusi Sibiya |
25 | FW | RSA | Thabang Maponya |
27 | DF | RSA | Keenan Phillips |
31 | GK | RSA | Thakasani Mbanjwa |
33 | DF | RSA | Givemore Khupe |
34 | DF | RSA | Junaid Sait |
38 | FW | TAN | David Uromi |
42 | FW | RSA | Dumisani Zuma |
44 | DF | RSA | Kwanda Mngonyama |
47 | MF | RSA | Mbulelo Wambi |
49 | MF | RSA | Thandolwethu Ngwenya |
55 | GK | NGA | Daniel Akpeyi |
66 | DF | RSA | Bongani Sam (on loan from Orlando Pirates) |
Former Coaches
Country | Coach Name | Tenure |
---|---|---|
Austria | Walter Rautmann | N/A |
England | Eddie Lewis | 1989–1991 |
South Africa | Sandile Bali | 1991–1992 |
South Africa | Milo Bjelica | 1992 |
England | Mich d’Avray | 1992–1993 |
Brazil | Walter da Silva | 1999 |
Russia | Viktor Bondarenko | 2000–2002 |
South Africa | Gavin Hunt | 1 July 2002 – 30 June 2007 |
Zimbabwe | Ian Gorowa | 1 July 2007 – 30 June 2008 |
Brazil | Júlio César Leal | 1 July 2008 – 30 June 2009 |
Germany | Rainer Zobel | 17 July 2009 – 28 Nov 2010 |
South Africa | Gordon Igesund | 29 Nov 2010 – 30 June 2012 |
Portugal | Zeca Marques | 1 July 2012 – 2014 |
South Africa | Craig Rosslee | March 2015– |
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