Moroka Swallows target PSL return after official club revival

Moroka Swallows have returned to competitive football, with the club’s supporters now setting their sights on a return to the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Former sports broadcaster Walter Mokoena announced on Radio 2000 on Friday that the club had been officially registered as Moroka Swallows Sports Club Pty Ltd. The revived side played its first match on Saturday in the SAFA Johannesburg Regional League, losing 3-2 to Clever Boys (Wits University).

Mokoena said the new organisation should not be confused with previous entities associated with the club.

“About a year ago, we had a vision, after all that happened, which is well documented about this famed institution of Moroka Swallows, which turned 79 years old on the tenth of October,” he said.

“So about a year ago, Moroka Swallows Sports Club was established and I want to make that distinction very clear, that in the past you had names like Moroka Swallows Limited, Moroka Swallows FC, we’re none of those. We’re Moroka Swallows Sports Club Pty Ltd, it’s a company registered in terms of the CIPC and all the relevant legislation.”

The development follows the “Bring Back The Birds” campaign, through which a group of supporters worked to revive the club.

Lucky Khomo, the Moroka Swallows Steering Committee liaison officer and a representative of the project, said the supporters fully backed Mokoena’s initiative because their central aim had been achieved.

“Our main objective was to bring back The Birds, so the Swallows that are back we’re happy with it and we’re fully behind Mr. Walter Mokoena, we did not have any objections to anyone who was going to bring back the club. What matters is to see the club back,” Khomo said.

He added that the campaign had used pamphlets, banners, flags and T-shirts carrying the words “Bring back the Birds” in its efforts to restore the club.

“We’re very happy, you will recall we had pamphlets, banners, flags, T-shirts written ‘Bring back the Birds’ so we’re happy to have Moroka Swallows back, that was our objective, regardless of who was going to bring back the club.”

The Steering Committee had previously been in discussions with potential investors interested in purchasing a status in the professional ranks. Khomo said those plans remained relevant despite the club’s return at regional level.

“It is everyone’s dream to see the club playing in the professional level, the PSL. So I would be lying if I say to you it is not our ambition to see ourselves playing in the PSL. So definitely it is our dream to see ourselves playing in the PSL (again),” he said.

Swallows’ immediate competitive return has therefore begun in the SAFA Johannesburg Regional League, but the project’s longer-term objective is to restore the club to professional football.