Giants Mbabane Swallows are on the verge of having a new owner.
The investor, whose identity has been deliberately withheld until a formal presentation to the club’s supporters, is a dual United States-Italian citizen. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English and a master’s degree in Language and International Trade from Eastern Michigan University.
The investor’s representatives are expected to arrive in the country today, following the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, to formalise the takeover of what is arguably the country’s most successful club of the new millennium. The official announcement is anticipated this weekend.
Sources close to the deal reveal that the investor is an international investor, investment banker and venture philanthropist. His extensive experience spans North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia, and he is poised to bring unmatched expertise, vision and commitment to Swallows.
Beyond his business acumen, the investor is passionate about football and is reportedly a shareholder in a football club in neighbouring Mozambique. The company that owns the Mozambique-based club focuses on expanding its social impact by developing a global portfolio of emerging football and other sports clubs. The expansion includes opportunities to win tournament prizes, secure sponsorships and offer professional football and sports consulting services.
The Swallows takeover deal is being facilitated by Management Committee (MC) Chairman Abraham ‘AB’ Dlamini. A high-ranking source within the Swallows camp has confirmed that the investment will be worth approximately E3 million per season.
“He is arriving tomorrow (today), and over the weekend, the signing of documents will formalise the takeover. By Monday, we expect the official announcement and further details of the deal,” the source said.
When contacted, Dlamini confirmed that the deal is 95 per cent complete. “We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to secure this investor, but I cannot disclose his identity just yet. A formal presentation will be made soon. We also plan to begin pre-season training immediately,” Dlamini said.
Eswatini Observer Press Reader
