Swallows chairman David Mogashoa has explained the relationship that Amakhosi have with their Soweto counterparts as well as the recent deals concluded with both Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates.
The Dube Bird supremo revealed that Kaizer Chiefs will not be in a race with any of their rivals for Swallows players, they have a right of first refusal in any transaction.
This comes after the most talked about transfer of Defender of the Season for last term, Njabulo Ngcobo, who moved to Naturena when the FIFA ban was finally lifted despite strong interest from Downs, who might have even offered more financially.
Mogashoa insisted that the existing relationship with the Glamour Boys is deep in history since his side have been in the lower division and desperate for players seeing as they had spent R10-million to acquire a second tier status.
At the time, Chiefs loaned them five players.
“We had to come to the party as well in our relationship with Chiefs. An example is Njabulo Ngcobo, a very good player that, ideally, we should not have lost his services,” the Swallows boss explained in an interview.
“But because Chiefs were interested and we appreciate what they did for us while we were in the lower division, we did not hesitate to say, ‘it’s fine, you can have him.’ But we wanted something in return. I know some supporters are getting worried with the relationship and they shouldn’t be – that relationship ends outside the field of play, we are rivals. If you recall, Chiefs didn’t beat us last season. I’ve said it before, Chiefs will get first preference on any player that Swallows is willing to sell – not that we will not sell to other clubs. People asked if Njabulo will go to Sundowns, and I said Chiefs will get first option.”