Manzini Sea Birds F.C.

Manzini Sea Birds FC is an Eswatini football club based in Manzini.[2]

Sea Birds
Full nameManzini Sea Birds Football Club
Nickname(s)Birds
Founded1987
GroundMavuso Sports Centre
Manzini, Eswatini
Capacity5,000
Chairman
  • Peter Simelane (2013)[1]
LeaguePremier League of Eswatini
2022–20239th

History

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The club was founded 1987.[3] The Seabirds played most in the Swazi First Division[4] and was first time promoted to the Premier League of Eswatini 2012.[5][failed verification]

In 2018, they won the First Division title to earn another top-flight promotion.[6] Star forward Muzi Tsabedze tied for the league's top scorer and earned player of the year honors.[7]

Stadium

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The team plays its home matches at the 5000 capacity Mavuso Sports Centre.[8]

Notable players

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Below is a list of notable players who have earned international caps while playing with the club.

Notable coaches

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  • Van Royen Magagula (2013)[13]
  • Sihle Mavimbela (2013)[14]
  • Zenzele 'Ace' Dlamini (2014)[15]

Youth academy

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Since 2011 the club holds with the Ishibobo Soccer Academy (ISA), a talent scouting sports academy in Manzini. ISA serves as the under-20 football team of the club.[16] Ishibobo plays its home matches at the Zakhele Sports Ground.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Sea Birds boss is new Manzini FA chairman". comesaria.org. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  2. ^ "Eswatini - Manzini Sea Birds FC - Results and fixtures - Soccerway". Soccerway. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  3. ^ "Manzini Sea Birds FC - eSwatini - Manzini Sea Birds Football Club - Club Profile, Club History, Club Badge, Results, Fixtures, Historical Logos, Statistics". weltfussballarchiv.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  4. ^ "Swaziland 2010/11". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Swaziland 2011/12". RSSSF. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  6. ^ Ntiwane, Qondile (14 May 2018). "SEA BIRDS CROWNED MTN NFD CHAMPS". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. ^ "MANDLA PALMA AND MUZI TSABEDZE ARE THE BEST PLAYERS FOR THE 2017/18 FOOTBALL SEASON". Eswatini Football Association. 17 June 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. ^ Ntiwane, Dumisani (11 November 2013). "'BIRDS', 'WESLIANS' TUMBLE". Times of Swaziland. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  9. ^ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  10. ^ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  11. ^ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  12. ^ Manzini Sea Birds F.C. at National-Football-Teams.com
  13. ^ "Sea Birds' Van Rooyen is new Pirates coach!". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  14. ^ "sea birds reject coach 'ace'!". Eswatini Observer. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  15. ^ "Zambian Coach Chris Tembo has been fired by Mbabane Swallows with immediate effect". Lusaka Voice. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  16. ^ "Ishibobo S. Academy (@Ishibobo) - Twitter". twitter.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  17. ^ Academy, Ishibobo S. (24 December 2012). "10am..29/12/2012 @ Zakhele Sports Ground Ishibobo Academy u-19 vs Excelsior Academy..in respect of de late Ishibobo player." twitter.com. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
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