Manzini Sea Birds F.C. Explained

Clubname:	Sea Birds
Fullname:	Manzini Sea Birds Football Club
Nickname:	Birds
Founded:	1987
Ground:	Mavuso Sports Centre Manzini, Eswatini
Capacity:	5,000
Chairman:	Peter Simelane (2013)^[1]
League:	Premier League of Eswatini
Season:	2022–2023
Position:	9th

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

History

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]

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

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

Notable players

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

• Victor Khoza
• Banele Mdluli
• Ndumiso Shongwe
• Muzi Tsabedze

Notable coaches

• Van Royen Magagula (2013)^[9]
• Sihle Mavimbela (2013)^[10]
• Zenzele 'Ace' Dlamini (2014)^[11]

Youth academy

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.^[12] Ishibobo plays its home matches at the Zakhele Sports Ground.^[13]

External links

• Soccerway

Notes and References

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